THE PRIDE of Cumbria has made its final voyage but it is soon time for her predecessor to take over as the county’s paramedic of the skies.

Great North Air Ambulance helicopter, Pride of Cumbria has left the region for the final time.

The helicopter’s pilot Phil Lambert said: “We’ve been really busy in the last few days on this aircraft and to that end we’ve pretty much flown all the hours off it until the next service it requires.

“Because we’re so close to getting the replacement aircraft for this, the new N3, it’s been decided to take this aircraft down to Leeds and swap it with a spare aircraft until we get our new aircraft.”

Mr Lambert has been flying the aircraft for almost 10 years.

“It does make you wonder how many people have been helped by this aircraft” he said.

“A little bit sad that we’re taking this aircraft away but at the same time it marks the end of one era but the start of a new chapter and exciting times to come.”

The aircraft’s full time replacement has been purchased by the service and has just been repainted with GNAAS colours. Another is on the way for the North East branch of the service.

It is hoped the new lifesaving vehicles will be deployed in the coming weeks.

GNAAS needs your help with their Fund our Fleet Appeal, which the registered charity hopes will replenish their funds after securing the new helicopter.

The lifesaving charity has praised the generosity received from Cumberland News readers and the general public so far.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We launched the appeal three weeks ago, this week we passed £100,000 in donations.

He said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the response and quite stunned really with the level of generosity that people have shown.”

And there is still time to support the charity’s campaign.

To donate visit: www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/support-us/donations/fund-our-fleet

The service would also like you to decide their new helicopter’s name.

Email your suggestions to gareth.cavanagh@newsquest.co.uk

Great North Air Ambulance staff carry out critical work, which was brought into stark contrast this week when they were called out to a road traffic collision on the A716 near Stoneykirk in Scotland.

They arrived on scene an hour later, responding to the situation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue service, police and the ambulance service.

Civil Aviation Authority rules to protect staff and the public mean that the crew would not be able to make the flight back as they would be over their hours.

The team airlifted the patient to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow as it was the nearest major trauma centre and stayed in Scotland overnight.

GNAAS will be able to continue this vital work with your support.

“The new helicopters are an investment that will ensure we can continue to operate safely and efficiently for the next 15 years and beyond, protecting more families for generations to come.”