Tony, stick you bag back on the doorstep as requested.

I think that part of the problem is that the NWAA charity bag states on the back that it is the only air ambulance in the area which is misleading to people in our area

I get charity bags from the NWAA on what seems to be a monthly basis on top of the 2-3 bags I get each week from assorted charities. How much junk do you think we have to give away? These doorstep bag collections are reaching nuisance levels. All of the ones stuck through my door go straight in the bin, usually as the liner.

HB, that came over as a little patronising to be honest, and not completely correct either. I agree with Chris, there is choice and donations are personal to people who wish to support any charity. Door knocking is extremely irritating however, and I refuse to donate to any charity where collectors either invade my privacy by telephoning or calling uninvited, in the same way as those who sit in shop doorways, or stand outside rattling tins. Give people information and they will choose or choose not to donate at all which is their perogative partiuclarly in these days of "austerity". Please do not lecture the people of Cumbria, people do not have to share your view.

1 - The GNAA's registered activities on the charity commission website are "TO PROMOTE THE RELIEF OF SICKNESS WITHIN THE COUNTIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND, CUMBRIA, DURHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS BY THE PROVISION OF AN AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE."
2 - The are of operation is "THROUGHOUT ENGLAND"
3 - The surplus income in FY 10/11 was £1.16m.
4 - 28% of expenditure was on "Income generation and governance"

It would seem like GNAA has a wide area to the east as NWAA has a wide area to the south. It also looks like there is no shortage of money, there would be even more to spend on helicopters if less was spent on administration.

Is this a case of a charity seeking some free publicity?

Can I respectfully explain why it is so important that we support our own Pride of Cumbria. Without doubt, ALL the Air Ambulances are equally important and a vital emergency service, and all, equally, need financial support BUT, and this is where misconceptions are drawn, when it comes to fundraising, money donated to the NWAA goes back to an area where they have a population of roughly 22 million people covering as far afield as The Wirral, Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, whilst our own Pride of Cumbria has a population of only half a million to support her. As Susan pointed out, when she suggested she would fundraise for our air ambulance over in the NWAA area it was strongly rebuffed! Why therefore, are they able to fundraise over here! To make it clear, nobody is disputing the importance of ALL the Air Ambulances, they do 'fly-over' and support other area's when needed to do so BUT the fundraising is an issue of GREAT importance, we either support by donating to our affluent neighbour OR we support our own Pride of Cumbria everyone has the freedom to choose! .... We might have a much smaller population but the people of Cumbria are the most wonderful people who, I can say without doubt, WILL get behind our Pride of Cumbria and WILL keep her flying! Thankyou .

This is just a pathetic bit of whingeing!

We got a knock on the doorstep ... it was very clear they were asking for support for a Regional based service and not the Pride of Cumbria, which we already supported. I chose to support both.

I feel like cancelling my DD to the Pride of Cumbria one! There is room for choice!!! I find this whole campaign disgusting!

The Air Ambulance will rescue people who come to Cumbria for holidays and end up needing their service. They probably rescue more non Cumbrians than Cumbrians - I'd be interested to know if there is a statistic on that fact! Whether lifting people from mountains or rescuing them from car accidents many will be holidaymakers. Look at the RNIB - it isn't just coastal townspeople who are asked to donate - we all do. I do not understand how an argument can be sustained on this issue.

Surely The NWAA and GNAA both deserve funds from where ever possible, they both do the same job covering all areas within the north, My cousin was in a serious car accident few years ago between sedbergh and kendal and it was the NWAA that came out and if it wasnt for them putting their own lives on the line he would probably not be with us today. Living in kendal i have seen both air ambulances cover this area, so instead of a funding war and people not donating to one because they live in a different area to which its meant to cover why not just support both equally, afterall many people support other charities that are not local. My respect goes to all air ambulance crew all over the country they do an amazing job

i am a suporter of th gnaa and have spoke to a member of the nwaa about the fundraising they do in cumbria i have told them i will be going to blackpool to fund raise for the gnaa to which i was told i would not be able to do this as this is not their area !!!