The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been given £1m by the Government from money collected by fines on the UK's banks.
Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton along with the Chancellor, The Rt Hon George Osborne MP and Yorkshire legend Geoffrey Boycott visited the YAA base at Nostell, near Wakefield.
George Osborne, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, made the announcement today at the YAA base at Nostell. He was accompanied by Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake and Geoffrey Boycott, former Yorkshire and England batsman who has been heavily involved in raising money for the YAA.
Peter Sunderland of the YAA said the money was hugely welcome and would help replace their oldest helicopter. The charity needs £12000 per day to keep both aircraft in the air. The other is based in Kevin's constituency at Topcliffe, near Thirsk.
Mr Osborne said: "This is a brilliant charity that saves lives across Yorkshire". Geoffrey Boycott said he had written to the Chancellor and the donation was " a fantastic response to that letter"
Mr Hollinrake added: "This is fantastic news that our Government is making a £1m donation towards a replacement for a YAA helicopter based at Topcliffe. The current aircraft has saved over 4000 lives and this money will enable the YAA to provide an essential service in my rural constituency over the coming years".