Yorkshire Air Ambulance fuel prices soar due to Middle East conflict
Charity appeals for donations amid rising fuel costs
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is facing a significant financial challenge due to a sharp increase in fuel costs attributed to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The charity reports that they have seen fuel prices increase from 66 pence per litre to over £1 per litre in just one month.
This has resulted in their monthly fuel expenditure rising from about £23,000 to nearly £38,000.
Catherine Marsden, chief executive at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighted the impact of the price hike:
“We noticed our fuel rising significantly from one month to the next. In the previous month, we were paying 66 pence a litre, and in the following month, we're paying £1.09 per litre.
"I think it's important to clarify that we don't pay VAT, as we're an emergency service.
"But that is almost a doubling of our fuel costs.
"What we might pay in one month previously, depending on how busy we are, might be around £23,000.
What we pay under these new fuel prices is nearer £38,000.”
The charity relies heavily on public donations and does not receive any government funding.
With the projected annual increase in fuel costs estimated at £200,000, Yorkshire Air Ambulance is appealing for donations from the public to keep its helicopters operational.
Catherine expressed gratitude for the generosity of Yorkshire's people and urged them to continue supporting the charity via their website.
"We find that the people of Yorkshire are incredibly generous usually, and we are asking them once again to be generous so that we can continue to meet the costs of the increased fuel so that we can keep in the air and keep getting to people when they need us.
"Obviously, it's not a budgeted cost because we didn't anticipate fuel rising as it is, so it is out of budget, which puts the pressure on us."
"There is also concern about fuel availability, although suppliers have assured the charity that there are no immediate issues with supply.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is keenly monitoring developments to ensure its operations remain unaffected.