A Darlington family has donated £1,000 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) to mark the life of Ronald 'Ronnie' Murray, who died in March at the age of 62.
Tribute linked to lifesaving care
The sum was given via GNAAS’s Written in the Sky campaign, which allows supporters to have a name displayed on one of the charity’s helicopters for a minimum contribution of £100. The family chose the scheme to create a lasting tribute and to recognise the role the air ambulance played in Mr Murray’s life.
“Losing Dad this year was such an unexpected shock to us all, in our grief one of the things which has helped somewhat is to think of ways in which to honour and remember Dad… We believe that GNAAS gave us those 'eight bonus years',”
The donation followed a collection at Mr Murray’s funeral, where mourners raised £721. The family subsequently increased that amount to reach the £1,000 total and selected to have his name included on a GNAAS helicopter.
Context and local resonance
Mr Murray had been airlifted by GNAAS after two separate motorcycle collisions in 2017 and 2018. The family's decision to direct their fundraising to the air ambulance underscores the local reliance on emergency air services and the high regard in which they are held by patients and relatives in Darlington and the wider region.
- Donation amount: £1,000
- Funeral collection raised: £721
- Campaign used: GNAAS Written in the Sky (minimum £100)
How the money was gathered
The family collected funds at the funeral and later added to that total to reach the four-figure donation. The figures below break down the publicised amounts.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funeral collection | £721 |
| Additional family contribution | £279 |
| Total donated | £1,000 |
Family members said placing Mr Murray’s name on a helicopter gives them pride and the comfort of a public, ongoing commemoration, while also supporting the service that they say extended his life.
For residents of Darlington the story will resonate with those who have experienced or relied upon emergency services; it also serves as a reminder of the role of charities like GNAAS in providing specialist pre-hospital care across the north-east.
Anyone wishing to support GNAAS or learn more about the Written in the Sky campaign can find details on the charity’s website and through its public fundraising channels.
