Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence 2024 Sponsored by Kwik Fit

About the Awards of Excellence

AAUK hosted the flagship 2024 Annual Conference and Awards of Excellence at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 28th November.

Air Ambulances UK’s annual Awards of Excellence returned on 28 November 2024. This time to the brand-new location of the Coventry Building Society Arena, home of Coventry City FC. The awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the excellence of those involved in the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities across the UK.

It’s was an opportunity to come together to recognise the outstanding achievements of charity teams, campaigns, innovations, volunteers, and young people as well as clinical and aviation excellence.

We were proud to announce Kwik Fit as the principal sponsor for the 2024 Annual Awards of Excellence.

Click here to purchase your tickets!

Awards room with guests looking at screens

Award Categories Shortlist

Campaign of the Year - sponsored by Kwik Fit

Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex
London’s Air Ambulance Charity
Magpas Air Ambulance

Critical Care Practitioner of the Year - sponsored by Zoll

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Neil Bizzell
Magpas Air Ambulance – Sarah Walker
The Air Ambulance Service – Paul Mullins

Charity Staff Member of the Year

Magpas Air Ambulance – Sam Disney
London’s Air Ambulance Charity – Andy Frain
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust – Brenda Playford

Charity Team of the Year - sponsored by Lottery Fundraising Services

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex
Magpas Air Ambulance

Charity Supporter of the Year - sponsored by Tower Lottery Services

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Tom Budgett
East Anglian Air Ambulance – Laura Bird
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust – Steve Dukes

Doctor of the Year - sponsored by Leonardo

Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Tim Nutbeam
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Laura Bland
The Air Ambulance Service – Dr James Nayyar

Innovation of the Year - sponsored by Aeroptimo

Devon Air Ambulance Trust
Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex
Magpas Air Ambulance, East Anglian Air Ambulance and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust

Lifetime Achievement Award - sponsored by Airbus

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust – Mick McLachlan
Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Heléna Holt
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Gillian Bryce
London’s Air Ambulance Charity – Anne Weaver
The Air Ambulance Service – Dr Matthew Wyse

Pilot of the Year

Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Rich Applegarth
East Anglian Air Ambulance – Steve Norris
The Air Ambulance Service – Captain John McCallion

Breaking Barriers Award - sponsored by Wel Medical

Devon Air Ambulance Trust
East Anglian Air Ambulance
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

Young Person of the Year - sponsored by Sloane Helicopters

Shortlist and winners to be revealed on 28 November

Operations Support Staff of the Year

Magpas Air Ambulance – Scott Todd
Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Julia Bradshaw
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust – Paul Thompson

Trustee of the Year - Sponsored by Charisma Charity Recruitment

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust – Anni Ridsdill Smith
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance – Mike Beale

Principle Sponsor

Award Category Sponsors

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Our 2024 Judging Panel

John Christensen
Vice Chair, Air Ambulances UK

Debra Allcock Tyler
CEO of Directory of Social Change

Gill Jolly
Director, Achieve Consultants

Dr Syed Masud
Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Paediatric Emergency Medicine & Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine

Paul Westaway
Director, Blue Light Aviation Limited

FAQs

Who is eligible to enter?

Members of Air Ambulances UK are eligible to enter.

Was there a word limit for nominations?

Award entries should be no longer than two A4 pages in a size 11 font. Photos do not count as part of these two pages.

Was there a limit on the number of entries?

Charities are able to nominate in all categories, but they are limited to 1 nomination per category.

Can supporting documents be submitted?

Supporting documents can be submitted, and there are some awards where this is actively encouraged.

When do nominations close?

Nominations closed Wednesday 21st August 2024 at 12pm.

When is the awards event?

The Awards ceremony started at 19:00.

Is the event being held virtually?

No, in 2024 we were delighted to have hosted an in-person only event.

Will I be notified if my nomination is shortlisted?

Yes, relevant individuals were notified by email and sent further details.

What if I can’t attend the awards event?

We hope all our nominees can attend the ceremony or will be able to nominate a colleague to collect the award on their behalf, but we will arrange delivery of awards and certificates for any winners who are not in attendance.

When will tickets for the next event be available?

Check back at a later date to find out more.

Were photographs taken at the event?

There was a photographer, and photos were taken during the event and of all award winners.

2023 Awards of Excellence Winners

You can read all about all of the 2023 Awards of Excellence winners and nominees and their fantastic contributions. Our judging panel had some tough decisions to make when selecting the winners. All the nominees in all categories, those shortlisted, and the winners are all part of one community which works together to be there for their local communities at their time of need. A huge thank you to all staff, volunteers and supporters in our innovative lifesaving community.

Use the button below to read all about the 2023 Awards of Excellence Winners!