Yorkshire Air Ambulance Affinity Savings Account

Simple saving really can save lives, when you open a Yorkshire Air Ambulance savings account.

Take Charlotte, featured on the front cover. She was involved in an accident in early 2006 in North Yorkshire, which the Air Ambulance team attended. The ability to transfer her to Leeds General Infirmary resulted in Charlotte making a remarkable recovery which medical staff agree was due to the fact that they were able to attend to her injuries so quickly. Our cover girl is therefore very special indeed, as are a number of other people walking the streets today who might not have been so fortunate a few years ago.

Every penny you save in a Yorkshire Air Ambulance savings account has the potential to save lives. Savers benefit with an enhanced interest rate which is paid annually and the Air Ambulance is paid a bonus amount, by the Society, on behalf of account holders, so no matter how much or how little you are able to save, every penny really makes a difference.

“We believe in the Golden Hour. If we can take a patient from accident to medical attention within that period, the chances of recovery are dramatically increased. We now believe in golden pennies and pounds, because your commitment to save for your own future will ensure that ours continues at the same time.

We aim to provide a platinum air ambulance service for Yorkshire and we see our link with Barnsley Building Society as platinum partnership. As we search to strengthen our funding, this affinity account provides benefits for all involved and ultimately saves lives.”

Martin Eede - Chief Executive Yorkshire Air Ambulance

“As part of Barnsley Building Society's commitment to community, we are very pleased to be able to offer an exclusive savings affinity account, which will allow supporters to raise some additional funding for the charity, whilst saving in an account with a solid interest rate.”

David Roebuck - Chief Executive, Barnsley Building Society

Your savings account is backed by the strength and stability of an independent, mutual building society, established in 1853 and based in Yorkshire. As an account holder, once you have more than £100 in your account and if you are over 18, you become a voting member with the Society also and have access to a variety of other services provided by a mutual organisation.

How to open your account

Your Yorkshire Air Ambulance affinity account can be opened by post, over the internet, or at any local branch. Full details including addresses and telephone numbers are available at the back of the leaflet.

What you will need. If opening the account at a branch, where a current passport or photocard driving licence is produced, no other items of identification will be required. Where these items are not available we will carry out electronic verification of your personal identity and address. If this proves unsuccessful, you will be asked to provide a combination of other documentary evidence, details of which will be provided.

If opening your account in a non face to face situation, such as by post or over the internet and electronic verification is not successful, you will be asked to provide four separate items of identity. If sending information by post, please do not send originals, but send certified copies only.

Why not save regularly by setting up a standing order?

If you're one of those savers who sets out with all the best intentions of saving more but never quite manage it, why not set up a standing order from your bank account to your savings account. That way your savings will grow automatically and the Air Ambulance will benefit each month. With instant access withdrawals either by post or at a branch, you can always get to your savings quickly if required.

Making deposits and withdrawals

You can make a deposit or withdraw from your account at any time to suit your requirements.

When you make a deposit, the current rate of interest is applied immediately, so your savings grow from day one. The account pays one rate of interest, which is not dependent upon the balance, but the more you save, the more you earn for the Air Ambulance.

Withdrawals are simple. When requested by post or over the internet, cheques only will be provided. Withdrawals can be made over a branch counter to withdraw cash, up to a maximum of £500, or cheques up to the account balance. No notice of withdrawal is required, subject to the terms and conditions of the account.

The rate on this account is variable and current rates are on display at all branch outlets and on our website at www.barnsley-bs.co.uk.

Why not make saving and supporting a family affair?

Accounts are available for both adults and children.

You can open an account in trust for children under seven, which when the child reaches its seventh birthday, they can then operate themselves if they choose.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance's bonus payment

The Air Ambulance charity will receive an annual payment equivalent to 1% of the average daily balances in March each year.

The principle behind the affinity account is that supporters of the charity can raise additional funding for their charity, whilst just doing what comes naturally when saving for a rainy day. Account holders balances are not affected by the annual payment to the charity, as it is the Society's agreement to pay the Charity the amount on behalf of the account holders.

Additional Payments

Once you become an account holder, the Society has also agreed to pay additional payments direct to Yorkshire Air Ambulance should an account holder take out any additional Society products. This covers mortgages and re-mortgages, home and contents insurance, motor, travel, tenant and landlord insurance, and Independent Financial Advice.

For further information regarding the full service availability, contact our Customer Service Department or call into a branch. Please remember to mention at the time you make the enquiry that you are a Yorkshire Air Ambulance supporter.

Income tax deductions

Interest will be paid after deduction of income tax at the lower rate or, subject to the required certification, gross. Registration forms are available from the Society or direct from the Inland Revenue. If you are a non-taxpayer you will be able to claim repayment of this tax directly from the Inland Revenue. You can also claim a repayment of tax if your income falls within the starting rate band and you are eligible to pay less tax than the amount deducted from your interest. Individuals who are liable at the higher rate of income tax will have to pay additional tax on the interest to cover the difference between the tax deducted and the higher rate tax due.

The Society is required to supply the Inland Revenue with details of all interest paid or credited to investors each year.

Account Terms and Conditions

Investment: This account is subject to minimum and maximum account investments. Additional sums may be invested at any time.

Minimum initial investment

£10 – Under 16's £100 – Adults Maximum account holding - £50,000

Cooling Off Period: If, after careful consideration, you decide that you are not happy with your choice of savings or investment account(s) and you bring this to our attention within 14 days of your initial receipt, we will help you to either switch accounts or return your money with any interest earned over that period*. We will ignore any notice periods and additional charges in these cases.

*Please note: Cheques paid in within the 14 day period will have to clear before a refund can be given.

Withdrawals: Withdrawals can be made on demand by post, via the internet or at a branch counter. Withdrawals requested by post and internet provide cheques only. Branch counter withdrawals provide up to £500 in cash or up the account balance by cheque.

In both cases your passbook will be required. No notice of withdrawal is required. Please note that in some cases, for larger cash withdrawals, prior notice may be required.

Account Holding: Only one Yorkshire Air Ambulance Saving Saves Lives account is permitted per individual.

Interest: This is calculated on a daily basis, including the day of receipt but excluding the day of withdrawal and paid on 31st December each year. Interest will be added directly to the account.

Interest Rates: We reserve the right to amend interest rates at our discretion using one or more of the following methods:

1. Advertisements in the Yorkshire Post and Derbyshire Times Newspapers.
2. Notice in Branch Offices.
3. Individual notification to investors.
4. Internet via Society web site.

Amendments: We reserve the right to amend Terms and Conditions of issue at our discretion. Should the change be to your disadvantage, we will tell you about it personally at least 30 days before we make the change.

Here are a few air ambulance facts:

• The Charity is a millennium baby, as it was formed in year 2000 and flies upwards of 1,000 missions per year.
• The Charity requires £1.5 million pounds per year, (that's £3,500 every day) to operate one helicopter based at Leeds/Bradford Airport
• With a top speed of 150 mph, the helicopter carries a pilot and two paramedics, as well as the patient and other medical staff if required.
• The Air Ambulance currently covers the country's largest county from one base, but there are plans, through fundraising projects such as this, to purchase a second aircraft
• The crew can be airborne in just 2 minutes from call out.
• Yorkshire has the biggest motorway network in the country as well as some of the most beautiful but remote countryside. Wherever the Air Ambulance lands, geographically, there is a hospital within ten minutes flying time.

YAA Registered Charity Number 1084305

Picture courtesy of York Press