A Darlington family have commemorated the life of Ronald “Ronnie” Murray, who died in March aged 62, by backing a fundraising drive for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). The donation marks a deeply personal tribute to a man twice airlifted by the charity after separate motorcycle incidents in 2017 and 2018.
Mr Murray’s daughter, Jennifer, said the family were determined to channel their grief into something lasting, crediting the air ambulance and its crews with precious years they spent together following his crashes. Their gift of £1,000 supports GNAAS’s Written in the Sky initiative, which offers supporters the chance to have a name displayed beneath one of the charity’s new helicopters for a minimum donation of £100.
"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 cherish each one of his 62 years, and we believe that GNAAS gave us those 'eight bonus years'."
Two airlifts, years apart
Mr Murray was first airlifted in July 2017 after a motorcycle incident near Pooley Bridge. He was flown to Royal Preston Hospital and, despite the seriousness of the situation, escaped with severe bruising.
In August 2018, a further collision in Croft left him with major injuries, including a broken neck and fractures to his skull and tibia. He was placed in an induced coma and airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. In the aftermath of his recovery, Mr Murray and his family visited the GNAAS base, then located at Teesside International Airport, where they met paramedic Jamie Walsh, a member of the team involved in his care.
| Year | Location | Outcome | Hospital |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 (July) | Near Pooley Bridge | Severe bruising | Royal Preston Hospital |
| 2018 (August) | Croft | Broken neck; skull and tibia fractures; induced coma | James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough |
Donation made in his memory
The family’s contribution to GNAAS totals £1,000, of which £721 was collected at Mr Murray’s funeral, with the remainder donated by relatives. Their support places Mr Murray’s name among those carried by the charity’s aircraft through the Written in the Sky campaign.
That campaign forms part of GNAAS’s wider Operation SOS, an appeal to raise £2.5 million to secure the deposit for a vital third helicopter. As part of its long-term plans, the charity intends to introduce three Airbus H145 D2 helicopters, expanding capacity for future missions.
Community impact and remembrance
The Murrays’ gesture resonates with many in Darlington who have first-hand experience of the charity’s work. The family previously met the crew who helped Mr Murray, underlining the connection between patients, relatives and the clinicians who respond to emergencies across the region. A family photo released alongside the tribute shows relatives, including Bernard Colls, Jennifer Murray, Darcy Horner and Pamela Murray, together with paramedic Jamie Walsh.
For those considering support, the Written in the Sky initiative provides a clear pathway to contribute while commemorating loved ones. The Murrays’ example illustrates how individual stories can sustain charitable services that are called upon in moments of greatest need.
- Family donation: £1,000 in memory of Ronald “Ronnie” Murray.
- Campaign: Written in the Sky – names displayed on the underside of GNAAS helicopters.
- Appeal target: £2.5 million for a third aircraft under Operation SOS.
As Darlington pauses to remember Mr Murray, his family’s contribution ensures his name will continue to travel where the service is most needed, a visible reminder of the care he received and the “eight bonus years” they cherished together.
