A LIFE-saving charity is facing a £1.2 million shortfall following the cancellation of fundraising events due to coronavirus.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) had earlier estimated it could be facing a deficit of about £420,000, but it says as the impact of Covid-19 continues into the autumn and winter months, it says that total could now be in the region of £1.2m.

Peter Sunderland, YAA chairman, said: "It really has been the most challenging time for our teams, with strict restrictions still in place across much of the county, and most events being cancelled due to stringent social distancing measures.

"Whilst we have adapted to the new fundraising climate with virtual events and digital fundraising activities, this has been unable to replace the income that would have been generated from many of our larger events that take place annually.

"Thanks to our previous foresight to plan for unexpected events, the YAA is currently able to continue carrying out our day to day operations at both our airbases.

"However, the additional £1.2m income that we had budgeted for this year would have been hugely beneficial for building our reserves to ensure the continued stability of the charity, and plans we have for future advancements and developments.”

The charity, which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, provides two rapid-response emergency helicopters across the Yorkshire region. Last year alone they treated nearly 1,150 patients after serious incidents.

Helen Callear, director of fundraising at YAA, said: “Although it has been an incredibly challenging year for the team at the YAA, we have greatly benefitted from the hard work and support we have kindly received in the past, in riding out this crisis.

"We have an incredibly loyal donor base, who we could not be more grateful to for their continued support.”