Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff star in feel-good music video to raise money for charity

With 24,000 views on Facebook so far, the music video shows members of staff playing their instruments to the ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ tune before introducing more members to join in on the vocals.

Each of the 16 members of staff shot individual videos which were stitched together to make one large virtual performance from the team, which focuses on being there for one another in difficult times.

The performance was designed to ‘bring a smile to our faces’ and raise money for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) and homeless charity Shelter.

The idea originated from the Senior Engagement Lead (Community) for YAS, Jason Carlyon, who asked in a staff Facebook group if anyone was interested in contributing to a single following the success of a Foo Fighters cover released by the North West Ambulance Service.

Andy Owen, Wakefield-based Head of Medical Devices Management, Ambulance Vehicle Preparation and Ancillary Services for YAS, and also member of Huddersfield-based five-piece band Zang, offered to pull the project together.

Andy, who is also the producer and bass guitarist, said: “It turns out that we have a lot of hidden musical talents at YAS!

“We decided to go for a cover of Joe Cocker’s version of ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ by The Beatles as we felt it spoke volumes about how staff and volunteers have pulled together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are all really proud of the end result. Hopefully it will provide some light-hearted respite to everyone and reinforce the importance of being there for one another at a time when life is extremely challenging.”

The song features lead vocals from Leeds-based Emergency Care Assistants Paul Walsh and Georgia Dennis and Student Paramedic Gabby Kirby.

Andrew Conner, Hull-based Mobile Vehicle Cleaner, is on guitar.

Paul said: “We wanted to use emotive power of music to derive a sense of togetherness and comradery during a time of personal and collective difficulty, whilst conveying energy and humour.

“Given the current regional, national and global circumstances surrounding the pandemic I felt it was vital to firstly be able to raise funds for the YAS Charity to help support staff affected by the current environment and to continue to work towards bringing an end to homelessness.”

The YAS Charity supports the work of YAS by providing life-saving first aid training and defibrillators to communities. It is also supporting projects for staff and volunteers impacted by COVID-19.

YAS Charity Manager, Danielle Norman, said: “Our YAS colleagues should be really proud of their efforts as a team to bring some joy into these very challenging times.

“We are delighted that they have chosen to raise the profile of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity through their song.

“We are currently funding projects to support our colleagues and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work is especially focusing on supporting colleagues’ health and wellbeing and With a Little Help from our Friends we hope that we can do even more.”

The post on the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Facebook page said: “Check out our amazing staff performing their rendition of 'With a Little Help From My Friends' to bring a smile to our faces in these difficult times and raise money for Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity and Shelter.

“Well worth a watch - they are fab-u-lous! #ALittleHelpFromYAS #OneTeam”

To donate to the YAS charity, please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/YAS-With-a-Little-Help.

To donate to homeless charity Shelter, please visit

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/yas-with-a-little-help.