A LIFESAVING charity now has a second £6m aircraft to help people across North Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s new Airbus H145 helicopter went fully operational on Wednesday, following a refit and crew training, and is now based at RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk.

The new helicopter completes the replacement of the service’s two ageing MD902 Explorer aircraft, and the first new helicopter has been in service since September - flying from the charity’s air support unit at Nostell, near Wakefield.

Peter Sunderland, YAA chairman, said: “To see the second helicopter in operation is hugely exciting and a very proud day for us as a charity and for the people of Yorkshire.

“These helicopters belong to the people of Yorkshire and will do so for the next 10 to 20 years. I am very proud to say we now have a level of service which is probably the best of any air ambulance charity in the UK.”

The £12m cost has been met through planned savings, grants, careful budgeting and the amazing generosity of the people of Yorkshire.