08/06/2026
Make Your Mark Awards raises £3,000 for Great North Air Ambulance Service
The 2026 Make Your Mark Awards raised £3,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), thanks to the generosity of guests attending this year's event.
The annual awards, organised by Resolution Media and Publishing on behalf of the Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC) and held in association with headline sponsor Husqvarna UK, brought together hundreds of business leaders, employees and supporters from across Aycliffe Business Park and the wider region.
Alongside celebrating the outstanding achievements of local businesses and individuals, guests dug deep to support the life-saving work of GNAAS through donations made on the night.
The charity provides critical care across the North-East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man, bringing highly skilled doctors and paramedics directly to patients facing serious illness or injury.
Ben Sisson, corporate relationship manager at GNAAS, thanked organisers, sponsors and guests for their support.
He said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Make Your Mark Awards, in association with Husqvarna UK, for this generous donation of more than £3,000.
“As a charity, we rely on the kindness and support of our communities to help us deliver life-saving critical care across the region.
“We currently need to raise £9.6m each year to remain operational, without any public funding whatsoever, and donations like this enable our team to continue being there for patients and their families when they need us most.”
As well as raising just over £3,000 on the night, the fundraising was topped up when one of the raffle prizes – a Husqvarna robotic lawnmower worth £1,200 – was also donated to GNAAS by Husqvarna employee Carl Brettwood, who had the winning ticket.
Caraline Robinson, manufacturing director at Husqvarna UK, said: “It was fantastic to support one of Husqvarna’s charities of choice at this year’s Make Your Mark Awards.
“We have proudly supported GNAAS for a number of years, and the incredible work they do continues to make a real difference.
“It was truly inspiring to see the generosity of everyone in attendance, all coming together to support such a wonderful cause.
“The event showcased the very best of our business community and it was fantastic to see guests rally behind such an important regional charity.
“The Great North Air Ambulance Service provides an invaluable service and is one of many local charities that we support all year round. We’re delighted that the evening helped raise significant funds to support its life-saving work.”
Martin Walker, director of Resolution Media and Publishing, said the awards had once again demonstrated the strength of community spirit across Aycliffe Business Park.
He said: “The Make Your Mark Awards are all about celebrating the fantastic people and businesses that make Aycliffe Business Park such a special place to work and do business.
“But we're also passionate about giving something back, and I’m delighted that our guests responded so generously to support the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
“The charity performs an incredible role across our region, often making the difference in the most critical situations.
“To raise £3,000 in one evening is a fantastic achievement and a credit to everyone who attended, supported or contributed to the event.”
Pamela Petty, chair of the Aycliffe Business Park Community, added: “The business community in Newton Aycliffe has always been known for its generosity and willingness to support others.
“We're incredibly proud that the Make Your Mark Awards not only recognise business success but also help organisations such as the Great North Air Ambulance Service continue their vital work. The amount raised is a wonderful reflection of the values that exist across our business park.”
The £3,000 donation will help GNAAS continue delivering its critical care service to people across the region, ensuring specialist medical teams can reach those in urgent need whenever and wherever they are required.
Those interested in supporting the Great North Air Ambulance Service with fundraising events can contact them at greatnorthairambulance.co.uk.
Pictured above (from left): Resolution director Martin Walker, Great North Air Ambulance Service CEO Joe Garcia MBE, Husqvarna line leader Kay Wray, GNAAS corporate relationship manager Ben Sisson and Husqvarna line leader Robert Robson with people manager Deb Charlton.
