Golfers tee off for air ambulance fundraising drive
Community-minded business people hit the golf course with accountants and business advisors Azets to raise £9,081 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Nearly 100 players from the county’s business community teed off at Sandburn Hall in Flaxton, near York, for the firm’s fourth annual charity golf day.
Proceeds came from ticket sales, donations, competitions and activities, while winning team NatWest claimed top honours on the day followed by Knights Solicitors in second and BTG Begbies Traynor in third.
It was the latest initiative by Azets in its fundraising drive for Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), its charity partner for 2026.
The firm – with offices in York, Leeds and Bradford – has so far raised more than £15,000 for the life-saving charity this year.
Proceeds from the latest charity golf day also mean that Azets has raised £35,121 from the event since it was launched in 2023.
Chris Blackburn, who is Azets’ York office managing partner, said: “Many thanks to everyone who took part and helped raise such an incredible amount of money.
“The amazing work of those in our team who organised the event and assisted on the day also deserves recognition and reflects just how committed our people are to where they live and work.
“Yorkshire Air Ambulance, its team and volunteers deserve all of our support and gratitude for their life-saving work. As a business with deep roots in the community, we are only too pleased to do all we can to help such a worthwhile cause.”
Chris added: “From our first golf day four years ago, we now have a winning formula that has earned its place in our calendar.
“It forms a significant part of our fundraising pot each year and is also an important annual client and connector event with regular returning teams.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), founded in 2000, responded to 1,356 emergencies and provided critical care to 1,312 patients during 2025/26. Its specialist crews deliver advanced pre-hospital critical care to people who are seriously ill or injured across Yorkshire.
As an independent Charity, YAA receives no direct day-to-day government or NHS funding and relies on public donations to help keep its service operational 365 days a year.
Tessa Klemz, regional fundraising manager for North and East Yorkshire at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Azets and all those who took part in this year’s charity golf day.
“Raising more than £9,000 from one event is a fantastic achievement and will make a real difference to our work across Yorkshire.
“Azets has shown such brilliant commitment to supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance throughout 2026, with colleagues getting involved in everything from fundraising challenges to events like this.
“As an independent charity, we rely on the generosity of businesses, communities and individuals to help keep our service operational, so we simply couldn’t do what we do without support like this. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Azets staff have also joined in a variety of other activities in aid of the YAA this year – including the charity’s Yellow Yorkshire campaign, a bake sale, a skydive and a World Cup Challenge.
Victoria Wainwright, Azets’ Bradford office managing partner, hit the catwalk in a FB Fashion Ball in Leeds and tax associate director Karen Sadler ran in the Great North Run.
Visit https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk [yorkshireairambulance.org.uk] and https://www.azets.com/en-uk to find out more about the YAA and Azets.