Yorkshire Air Ambulance Affinity Savings Account

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

Take Charlotte, featured below. 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. Charlotte 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 Barnsley, 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

How to open your account

Your Yorkshire Air Ambulance affinity account can be opened by post, over the internet, or at any local branch.

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.

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 Barnsley branches and on this page.

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 their 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 Barnsley's agreement to pay the Charity the amount on behalf of the account holders.

Additional Payments

Once you become an account holder, the Barnsley has also agreed to pay additional payments direct to Yorkshire Air Ambulance should an account holder take out any additional Barnsley 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 Barnsley or direct from HMRC. If you are a non-taxpayer you will be able to claim repayment of this tax directly from HMRC. 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 Barnsley is required to supply HMRC with details of all interest paid or credited to investors each year.

Account Terms and Conditions

This section contains the particular terms of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance - Saving Saves Lives account (the "Specific Product Terms") and the general terms and conditions (the "General Terms").

Read together, the Specific Product Terms and the General Terms (a link to which is set out below), explain and govern how your account works. In particular, General Terms 4, 5 and 12 explain the circumstances in which we may change the interest rates and the terms and conditions to your account and any charges relating to your account - and how we will tell you about those changes. It is important that you read all of the terms applicable to your account before you decide whether to open it. If there is any inconsistency between the Specific Product Terms and the General Terms, then the Specific Product Term will apply.

If you open an account it will be with Yorkshire Building Society (trading as Barnsley Building Society). Barnsley Building Society is operated under its own brand with its own products and as a trading name of Yorkshire Building Society. References in the Specific Product Terms or in the General Terms to "you" and "your" are to the account holder. References to "we", "our" or to "the Barnsley" are to Yorkshire Building Society trading as Barnsley Building Society.

As you will be a member of Yorkshire Building Society, the Society's Rules will apply to you. A copy of the current Rules is available on request. Further information about membership and other issues can be found in the Yorkshire Building Society leaflet entitled "Your Society" available in all Barnsley branches.

Specific Product Terms

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

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

Click here to view the General Terms and Conditions of all the Barnsley Savings Accounts.

YAA Registered Charity Number 1084305

Picture courtesy of York Press