A paramedic from Elland is one of seven new “helicopter heroes”.
Lee Greenwood is flying high after completing training to join the crew of the lifesaving Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Other new recruits include a fellow Calderdale man, Pete Rhodes.
They have swapped land ambulances for helicopters to join the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Lee and Pete are among just seven Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedics chosen for a two-year secondment with the rapid response emergency charity following a rigorous selection process.
The Air Ambulance, of course, was honoured with the Achievement Award in the recent Examiner Community Awards.
The new recruits had to complete a tough three-week training programme that included underwater escape training, mountain and swift water rescue, navigation, air safety and new clinical skills.
“The training was exciting and a lot to take on board, especially all that’s involved in working on a helicopter,” said Lee, 41, from Elland, who qualified as a paramedic in 2002.
“I have wanted to work for the Air Ambulance for a number of years.
“You are attending the most challenging jobs, providing patients with enhanced clinical care and rapid transport to the region’s major trauma centres.”
The YAA serves five million people across Yorkshire. Its two helicopters fly over 1,000 missions a year – on average three a day.
To keep those aircraft in the air, the independent charity needs to raise £12,000 each day, which is equivalent to £4.4 million a year.
Lee has been blown away by the level of public support for the YAA and added: “You turn up out of the sky, making a lot of noise and jump off the helicopter in an orange suit, so you get a lot of attention!
“But, people’s response to us is, I’m sure, a recognition of what the air ambulance service can and does achieve for people across Yorkshire. I’ve already had a lot of people asking me about the charity and what they can do to help.”
