From a life-changing motorcycle accident to the technology behind JUSTRIDE Assist, we’re proud to support the Great North Air Ambulance Service and its mission to save lives.
For motorcyclists, there’s nothing quite like the freedom of the open road. The journeys, the people we meet and the places we discover are what make riding so special.
But as riders, we also understand that things can change in an instant.
When the unexpected happens, having the right people, equipment and information available can make all the difference.
That’s why we’re proud to support the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), a charity providing life-saving critical care across the North of England and the Isle of Man.
In the latest episode of the JUSTRIDE Podcast, we welcomed Ben Sisson, Corporate Relationship Manager at GNAAS, to discuss the incredible work happening behind the scenes, the challenges facing the charity and why the motorcycling community has such an important role to play.
We also share the remarkable story of motorcyclist Dean Abbott, whose life was changed forever following a serious accident.
When most of us think of an air ambulance, we picture a helicopter arriving at the scene of an accident.
But as Ben explains in our conversation, GNAAS provides far more than transportation.
Its specialist doctors and paramedics bring advanced medical care directly to patients, often performing procedures normally associated with a hospital emergency department.
Whether it’s a serious road traffic collision, cardiac arrest or another life-threatening emergency, the team is equipped to deliver critical interventions when every minute matters.
And it’s not just the helicopters. GNAAS operates rapid response vehicles that allow its critical care teams to respond by road, including overnight when its helicopters aren’t flying.
The scale of the operation is remarkable.
GNAAS attended 1,998 incidents during 2024/25, with annual operating costs of approximately £9.6 million.
What surprises many people is that the charity relies on public donations and fundraising rather than NHS funding to maintain its service. Great North Air Ambulance Service
Behind every mission is a community of supporters making it possible.
For Ben, that support is personal. After losing a close friend following a road traffic collision attended by GNAAS, he began fundraising for the charity before eventually joining its team.
His experience is a powerful reminder that the impact of emergency care extends far beyond the patient. It reaches families, friends and entire communities.
And few stories demonstrate that better than Dean Abbott’s.
In August 2010, Dean Abbott was enjoying a motorcycle ride through the Lake District with his father.
What should have been another memorable day on two wheels became a life-changing experience.
After losing control of his motorcycle near Windermere, Dean suffered devastating injuries, including serious damage to his ankle, shoulder and arm.
With the severity of his injuries and the difficult location making access by road ambulance challenging, the Great North Air Ambulance Service was called.
A specialist doctor and paramedic arrived by helicopter, treated Dean at the scene and airlifted him to hospital.
What followed was a long and difficult recovery. Dean spent months in hospital, almost a year in a wheelchair and continues to live with the effects of his injuries.
But he’s here to tell his story.
As Dean previously told GNAAS:
“GNAAS saved my life and gave me a second chance.” Great North Air Ambulance Service
We’ve had the privilege of speaking with Dean about his accident, his recovery and what the air ambulance means to him today.
His story is an important reminder of why services like GNAAS are so vital, particularly for motorcyclists exploring remote roads where reaching an injured rider can be challenging.
Watch Dean Abbott’s incredible story below.
Dean’s experience isn’t simply a story about surviving an accident. It’s about having the opportunity to continue living, spending time with family and enjoying the moments that might otherwise have been lost.
It’s why every second, and every donation, matters.
For JUSTRIDE co-founder Andrew Richardson, the connection with GNAAS goes back almost 20 years.
Long before JUSTRIDE existed, Andrew was involved in motorcycle safety initiatives, working alongside people within the air ambulance service to understand the challenges emergency responders face following a motorcycle accident.
During the podcast, Andrew reflects on work dating back to 2006, including developing educational material around motorcycle crash-scene management.
One challenge in particular stood out.
How do emergency responders locate a motorcyclist who has been thrown from their bike, particularly when the rider is unable to communicate?
And once they’re located, how can responders quickly access the information needed to provide appropriate care?
These questions helped shape Andrew’s understanding of motorcycle safety technology and the importance of accurate location information, effective communication and rapid emergency response.
That experience has continued to influence our approach to rider safety.
Today, those same principles are at the heart of JUSTRIDE Assist, our integrated motorcycle safety system.
Designed to provide an additional layer of protection, JUSTRIDE Assist combines impact detection, emergency contact alerts and access to professional emergency assistance.
Every JUSTRIDE rider can benefit from emergency contact alerts, helping notify nominated contacts with important information and location details following a detected potential impact.
For riders subscribed to JUSTRIDE PRO, the system goes further.
Through our integration with Global Rescue, a potential incident can be escalated for professional emergency assistance, with information shared to support coordination with the appropriate emergency responders.
For those venturing further off the beaten track, supported satellite connectivity provides additional communication capabilities beyond conventional mobile coverage.
The philosophy behind JUSTRIDE Assist is simple: when a rider needs help, getting accurate information to the right people as quickly as possible matters.
It’s technology we hope our community never needs to rely on, but one we’re proud to have developed with rider safety at its core.
Discover JUSTRIDE Assist and PRO
During our conversation with Ben, one of the most striking topics was the challenge of keeping the charity’s helicopters operational.
GNAAS currently operates two helicopters, but its existing aircraft are ageing and becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.
Ben explained how the rising costs of specialist replacement parts and extended maintenance periods can have a significant impact on the charity’s ability to respond by air.
The charity’s ambition is to return to a fleet of three helicopters, providing greater reliability and resilience across the region.
To make that possible, GNAAS launched Operation SOS: Secure Our Service.
The campaign aims to raise £2.5 million towards the deposit for a third Airbus H145 D2 helicopter, helping establish a modern, more reliable fleet capable of supporting the charity’s life-saving missions for years to come.
With funding already arranged for the first two replacement aircraft, securing the third is a crucial part of the charity’s long-term future. Great North Air Ambulance Service
For riders, the importance of this investment cannot be overstated.
Many of our favourite roads take us through beautiful but remote locations, from the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District and beyond.
When a serious incident occurs, having an air ambulance available can make a critical difference.
We want to help keep GNAAS flying, and we’re asking the JUSTRIDE community to join us.
Every donation, however small, contributes towards securing the future of this incredible service.
Your donation goes directly to the Great North Air Ambulance Service through its official Operation SOS campaign.
At JUSTRIDE, safety and community aren’t just features of our app. They’re fundamental to why we started this journey.
As a business founded in the North East, supporting an organisation that makes such an important difference across our region means a great deal to us.
That’s why we’ve committed to donating 5% of all JUSTRIDE merchandise profits to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Whether it’s one of our limited-edition designs, everyday riding-inspired clothing or future merchandise collections, every purchase helps us contribute towards supporting the charity.
It’s a simple way for our community to represent JUSTRIDE while supporting a cause that matters to riders and their families.
We’re still a growing business, but we believe that making a positive contribution should be part of our journey from the beginning.
As JUSTRIDE grows, we hope our contribution can grow alongside it.
Wear the brand. Support the mission. Help save lives.
5% of profits from JUSTRIDE merchandise sales are donated to GNAAS.
Our conversation with Ben was a reminder of just how much work happens behind the scenes to keep GNAAS operational.
From the dedication of its doctors, paramedics and pilots to the incredible efforts of fundraisers, volunteers and supporters, every person plays a part.
We also explore the challenges facing motorcycle accident response, the importance of accurate location information and the future of emergency care across our region.
It’s an episode we believe every motorcyclist should watch.
Nobody sets off on a ride expecting to need an air ambulance.
But knowing that dedicated teams are ready to respond when things go wrong is something we should never take for granted.
Dean’s story demonstrates the extraordinary difference these services can make.
Ben’s dedication reminds us of the people working tirelessly to ensure they’re available.
And for us at JUSTRIDE, it’s another reason to keep pushing forward with our mission to make motorcycling safer, more connected and more enjoyable for everyone.
We’re incredibly proud to support GNAAS, and we hope our community will join us in making a difference.
Because every ride matters. Every second counts. And together, we can help save lives.
