Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance’s Yarn Bomb Challenge helping spread the word of Air Ambulance’s work around Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire

Hundreds of miniature crocheted helicopters and post box toppers have been appearing across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire as part of the charity’s Great Yarn Bomb Challenge to help spread the word of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance’s (LNAA) life-saving work.

The bright yellow creations have been seen at shops, pubs, churches, and outdoor spaces in villages and towns across the air ambulance’s patch, including on top of postboxes in Newark and Burton Joyce, and hanging from a sign post in Bassingham.

LNAA’s volunteer manager, Kate Kerrigan, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the response since we launched the challenge, and over 800 people have already signed up to create their own woolly masterpiece.

“Collectively, they are spreading the message about the vital work that our crews do every hour of the day, 365 days of the year.”

The yarn bomb challenge will continue over the summer, culminating in the Grand Finale in Air Ambulance Week at the beginning of September.

Each helicopter has a label inviting people to take a photo of the spotted creations and share on social media, letting the team at LNAA know where it was spotted.

The sighting will then be featured on the map at LNAA headquarters, to show how far the knitted and crocheted helicopters have travelled.

“We want people to stop and smile when they see a helicopter,” added Kate. “And perhaps also think about how they can help us? There are numerous ways to support the work of LNAA, from fundraising by holding cakes sales or competing in one of our sporting challenges, to volunteering at events and talks.

“LNAA receives no direct government funding and it is thanks to the generosity and goodwill of our supporters that our crews can provide such critical care.”

To find out more about the Great Yarn Bomb Challenge, to get involved, or to report a sighting of a yarn bomb in your area, visit https://www.ambucopter.org.uk/blogs/lnaas-great-yarn-bomb-challenge/

Each year, the LNAA needs to raise £13 million to keep their helicopter flying and critical care cars on the road, enabling their medics to provide emergency treatments to some of the most critically ill and injured people in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

To make a donation to keep their good work going, visit the LNAA website at www.ambucopter.org.uk

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