Another Cumbrian says she can’t wait to take to the skies as a flying medic.

Sarah Graham, of Bassenthwaite, is starting work as a paramedic with the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

She’ll work from the charity’s operations centre at Langwathby, near Penrith, and from Durham Tees Valley Airport, near Darlington.

The 39-year-old is one of two new recruits joining the crew of the Pride of Cumbria air ambulance.

And she says she can’t wait, having previously been a paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service and North West Air Ambulance.

She said: “What really struck me was the ethos of all the staff at GNAAS who are constantly striving for new clinical developments and best practice.

“I relish in the knowledge and expertise and am looking forward to absorbing it all in. It is an honour and privilege to work within this team.

“It is the best job in the world.”

As well as being part of the helicopter crews – who are scrambled to some of the most remote and severe emergencies in Cumbria – Sarah and fellow new recruits Marcus Johnson and Tim West will also take on shifts as part of an all-night road response team in the north east on Friday and Saturday nights.

Marcus, 34, of Spennymoor in County Durham, was a former paramedic and mentor at the North East Ambulance Service.

He said: “Here you can make a real difference as the air ambulance is called to the sickest and most in need patients.”

Tim, 33, from, Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, is also a former North East Ambulance Service paramedic and has been a member of Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team for 13 years.

The father-of-two said: “Each day is unique. We are dealing with patients who have suffered a major trauma or are critically ill and can greatly improve their outcome.”

The new recruits faced stiff opposition to land their new jobs.

Andy Mawson, deputy director of operations at GNAAS, said: “Many of the applicants were of high calibre but these three candidates stood-out during a tough selection process.”

GNAAS has strong support in Cumbria and needs to raise £4.5 million every year to stay operational.

Last year, readers of our sister newspaper The Cumberland News raised £60,000 to by new lifesaving equipment for the Pride of Cumbria.