Paddy and Harry with the new rapid-response vehicle. Photo: GNAAS

Four-legged internet sensations and their family have funded a rapid response vehicle for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Spaniels Max, Paddy and Harry and owner Kerry Irving raised £120,000 for the charity with a series of events, including walks around Buttermere and Tewet Tarn.

Their social media pages Max Out in the Lake District, including videos with the dogs’ ears flapping in the Lakeland gales, gained a huge international following.

A spokesperson for the air ambulance charity said: “In April this year, during a fundraising walk in aid of GNAAS, Kerry was presented with a certificate of appreciation, naming the dogs as honorary crew members of the charity in recognition of their fundraising efforts.

“Sadly, Max passed away shortly afterwards, and now Kerry and his dogs Paddy and Harry are continuing Max’s legacy by raising further funds for numerous charities.”

Over the years, Kerry Irving and his dogs have raised about £600,000 for various charities.

This has enabled the air ambulance organisation to fund a brand-new Volvo XC90 to be used by the critical-care team in Cumbria, which displays Max’s pawprint.

The charity often goes to the aid of stricken hillwalkers in the county and regularly works supporting mountain rescue teams on callouts.

Mr Irving presented the car keys to Lee Salmon, head of operations west at GNAAS, along with several members of the critical care team.

The dogs’ owner said: “Max our Springer Spaniel was there when I needed him and saved my life from depression.

“Max’s popularity went on to help thousands of other people up until he passed away in April.

“Helping others in need is the greatest gift we can all give and our community-funded critical-care vehicle, given to GNAAS today, will help thousands of people in their hour of need.”

Since May 2021, a doctor and paramedic team from GNAAS have been operating on a rapid-response vehicle on Friday and Saturday nights in Cumbria and have currently responded to more than 280 incidents in the car.

The team carries the same equipment that is on the aircraft, which operates during the daytime, meaning they can deliver the same level of care, including anaesthetic procedures, surgery, and blood transfusions.

GNAAS said it hopes to eventually become a 24/7 service, but to achieve the goal they need more resilience in their fleet and 4×4 capability.

Their current Volvos at the charity are now four years old and have covered more than 100,000 miles. When they need servicing or maintenance repairs, the team relies on Skoda vehicles which don’t have the same capabilities as a 4×4 or SUV.

Having an additional Volvo in the fleet, which will be moved into frontline service, means the team now have an older Volvo as a backup which has the specifications needed to meet the current demands of the team.

Lee Salmon said: “Kerry has raised a phenomenal amount of money for GNAAS and I am humbled that the Max Out in the Lake District community will help us to continue saving lives throughout Cumbria. It’s an honour to have Max’s pawprint on the vehicle, knowing his legacy lives on through our life-saving work.”