CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: AIR AMBULANCES UK UNVEILS NOMINEES FOR 2024 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Awards of Excellence Shortlist

Air Ambulances UK, the national charity supporting the lifesaving work of the UK’s air ambulance charities, is delighted to reveal the shortlist of nominees for the highly anticipated Awards of Excellence 2024.

Sponsored by Kwik Fit, the prestigious awards highlight the exceptional critical care skills, dedication, and commitment of those working within and supporting the air ambulance community.

Across the UK, air ambulance charities respond to over 126 lifesaving missions each day, delivering advanced pre-hospital care to those facing life-threatening injuries or illnesses, improving patient outcomes, and saving countless lives.

This year’s Awards of Excellence will take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 28th November. Our panel of judges faced the challenging task of selecting finalists from an outstanding group of nominees, all of whom represent the remarkable dedication and skill within the air ambulance community.

Judging Panel:

  • 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
  • John Christensen, Vice Chair, Air Ambulances UK

In no particular order the awards nominee shortlist is:

Campaign of the Year – Sponsored by Kwik Fit
Air Ambulance Charity 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 Charity Kent Surrey Sussex
Magpas Air Ambulance

Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Airbus
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust – Mick McLachlan
Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Helena 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
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
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust – Robert Cowie
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust – Anni Ridsdill Smith
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance – Mike Beale

Chair’s Award
(not available for nomination)

Air Ambulances UK would like to congratulate all shortlisted nominees and thank everyone who submitted applications. We would also like to thank judges, who faced the challenging task of selecting the shortlist from such remarkable candidates.

Simmy Akhtar, CEO of Air Ambulances UK, said “Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted for the Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence 2024. The calibre of talent across the air ambulance sector is truly inspiring, and we are so grateful to everyone who took the time to submit nominations, highlighting the incredible contributions made by individuals and teams throughout the sector. We are deeply appreciative of our judging panel for their dedicated efforts in selecting this year’s shortlist. We look forward to coming together to celebrate these outstanding individuals and teams at our annual Conference and Awards of Excellence on 28 November.”

Click here to find out more information and to book your tickets for the Air Ambulances UK Annual Conference and Awards of Excellence.

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