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Yorkshire Air Ambulance named official charity of Ilkley Trophy


Credit: Getty Images for LTA

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been named as the official charity of this year’s LTA Ilkley Trophy international tennis tournament, which will be held at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (ILTSC) from 12-19 June.


The Club has two big reasons to be grateful to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) after medics flew in on two separate occasions earlier this year when members Kevin Johnson and Kirill Horoshenko were taken ill. Both were treated successfully on the spot by YAA after receiving immediate first aid – including CPR and defibrillation administered by quick-thinking, trained ILTSC staff - and made full recoveries.


“I am very grateful to Ilkley Tennis Club and Yorkshire Air Ambulance for saving my life. They did everything possible for me and I can’t thank them enough – they really are amazing people,” said Kirill Horoshenko.


Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to five million people across the whole of Yorkshire.


It costs £12,000 per day to keep both of Yorkshire’s Air Ambulances maintained and in the air so public fundraising and support is vital.


“We are delighted to be able to show our support for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and their vital lifesaving work,” said Rik Smith, ILTSC Chairman. “We all feel a tremendous sense of gratitude for the incredible work they did in helping to save the lives of both Kirill and Kevin. We want to help them save more lives across Yorkshire.”


Yorkshire Air Ambulance volunteers will be raising funds and awareness throughout what promises to be a fantastic week of world class tennis at the Ilkley Trophy, alongside receiving the proceeds from the daily prize draw which will take place in the hospitality tent. Top male and female players from around the world will compete on Ilkley’s lush grass courts before they head south to Wimbledon, providing a treat to spectators at one of the most picturesque tennis venues in the world.


Vickie Bowden, Regional Fundraising Manager for the YAA added: “We’re so grateful to Ikley Tennis Club for the opportunity to be involved with this year’s Ilkley Trophy tournament– it’s going to be a great week and we’re looking forward to meeting everyone. As an independent charity we rely heavily on the generosity of individuals, groups and organisations such as ILTSC to help raise vital donations. We’re also extremely grateful to Kirill for his kind words and glad we were able to come to his and Kevin’s aid when they needed it the most.” Limited tickets and hospitality packages are still available for the LTA Ilkley Trophy which will feature former Wimbledon Men's Doubles Champions Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil as well as former World No.7 Fernando Verdasco and multiple Grand Slam doubles champion Kristina Mladenovic. General tickets and information: www.ilkleytrophy.co.uk

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