º£½ÇÊÓƵ

The Great North Air Ambulance Service has its headquarters at Eaglescliffe on Teesside and a base at Langwathby, near Penrith. As a charity it rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year - flying to the scene to deliver pre-hospital care.

What was your first job (and how much did it pay)?

It was a weekend role with a shoe shop in Newcastle while I was a student - £1.41 per hour.

What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business?

So much good advice over the years. It is the acts which you perform when no-one is looking that you will be judged on, and which give you your integrity. That we are all human and need a great support network around us. We will all have setbacks and disappointments, it is inevitable – our resilience, support and response are what make us what we are. None of us are immune from mental health pressures – be open and talk about it – and be kind.

What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing?

Operationally, it would be improvements in techniques and equipment which improve outcomes for our patients. Organisationally, it is changes to people’s ability to support and fund what we do. Relying on charitable donations, whenever there are other areas of charitable giving, or if people’s individual financial circumstances change, then we have a funding gap.

How has the pandemic changed the way you work?