The Wainwright Society has donated a total of £12,116 to The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), raised through various fundraising efforts throughout 2025. These fundraising activities included events such as the Lake District Challenge Walk, as well as funds raised from the sale of the Society’s much-loved calendar.
Members Kate Young, Mark Abbott, and Ian Nelson were warmly welcomed by the team at GNAAS’s Langwathby base. There, they presented the Society’s final donation, bringing the total contribution to £12,116. On this occasion, Natasha Banks, Senior Corporate Relationship Manager, praised the Society’s efforts and explained that this contribution would help GNAAS’s plan to purchase a third helicopter (Operation SOS). This will allow GNAAS to always have two helicopters available for emergencies across Northern England and the Isle of Man. She also explained that regular maintenance and servicing of the helicopters is expensive, and during that time they are out of service, making an additional helicopter crucial.
Membership and Fundraising Contributions
Ian Nelson said on the occasion, “I would like to sincerely thank all our Society members who contributed to this fundraising by participating in the 2025 Challenge Walks and purchasing the 2026 calendar. The Society recognizes the invaluable life-saving work that GNAAS does, and also understands that this organization does not rely on government funding. It depends entirely on the support of individuals, companies, and organizations like ours.” These words reflect the power of community collaboration and collective effort. They demonstrate that when people work together for a noble cause, even small contributions can have a significant, life-saving impact.
History and Objectives of the Wainwright Society
The Wainwright Society was founded in 2002. Its main objective was to keep alive the fellwalking traditions championed by Alfred Wainwright and to further his vision. Wainwright popularized fellwalking through his guidebooks and other publications. The Society continues this tradition today, striving to care for the fells and preserve their beauty.
Over time, the Society has raised thousands of pounds for various causes that they believe Wainwright himself would have appreciated and supported. This type of contribution is not only inspiring for the fellwalking community but also serves as an example of social and humanitarian service.
Future Plans and Significance
In 2026, Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk is set to receive official recognition as a National Trail. With this in mind, the Society has decided to donate its fundraising proceeds this year to the Mountain Rescue Teams that provide safety and emergency services along this trail route. This step not only demonstrates the Society’s social responsibility but also shows that Wainwright’s legacy lives on and continues to contribute to life-saving efforts.
This initiative demonstrates that collective effort, whether through fundraising or raising awareness about mountains and nature, can have a direct impact on social change and life-saving work. The Wainwright Society has permanently incorporated this approach into its activities, ensuring that their efforts not only inspire fellwalking enthusiasts but also strengthen emergency services.
Conclusion
The Wainwright Society’s contribution, in supporting GNAAS’s life-saving work, exemplifies responsibility towards the community and the environment. It demonstrates how the positive impact is multiplied when people dedicate their resources and time to a selfless cause.
Thus, the Society not only preserves Wainwright’s legacy but also contributes to vital life-saving efforts in the community. Their initiative will continue to inspire others in the future, showing how small actions, such as participating in a walk or buying a calendar, can make a significant difference in saving lives.
