The nation’s finest clinicians, aviators and fundraisers are celebrated at the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence

310 guests celebrated the best and brightest from the air ambulance community last night at the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2018.

Awards hosts Richard Madeley and Angellica Bell handed out 12 Awards to outstanding individuals and teams, whose stories were inspirational, astounding and humbling. The awards, which are independently judged, went to pilots, paramedics, doctors, fundraisers and volunteers who collected their trophies at a ceremony held at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel last night.

An enthusiastic audience listened to the remarkable stories of each shortlisted nominee, all of whom demonstrated excellence and commitment well above and beyond the call of duty.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award went this year to Angela Hughes, Chief Executive of Wales Air Ambulance. Angela was the charity’s very first employee and now oversees an organisation with an annual income of £12m, 110 staff, 650 volunteers and four helicopters serving the people of Wales. Wales Air Ambulance’s remarkable story is rooted in the determination and leadership of Angela.

Chair of the Judging Panel, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, said: “Every year at these Awards, we hear about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and this year was no exception. The level of commitment that air ambulance charities inspire is remarkable, whether that’s volunteers spending decades of their lives raising money, clinicians performing genuinely life-saving surgery out in the field or pilots showing nerves of steel to deal with the challenges of the weather and terrain.

“It’s clear that those working in the air ambulance sector are among the most courageous, talented and determined people around – although I know few would accept that description as they say, ‘I’m just doing my job’. Well, they do a remarkable job and I’m delighted we were able to celebrate each and every one of them.”

Below is a list of all the winners:

Air Ambulance Campaign Award

WINNER: Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Lottery Fundraising Services

Charity Staff Member of the Year

WINNER: Jen Easton, East Anglian Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Bayards Heliport Solutions

Charity Volunteer of the Year

WINNER: Colin Smith, Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Tower Lotteries

Air Ambulance Doctor of the Year

WINNER: Dr Paddy Morgan, Great Western Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Leonardo Helicopters

Innovation of the Year Award

WINNER: North West Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Sloane Helicopters

Lifetime Achievement Award

WINNER: Angela Hughes

Sponsor: Specialist Aviation Services

Air Ambulance Paramedic of the Year

WINNER: Mark Williams, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance

Sponsor: BMW Government and Authorities Division

Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year

WINNER: Gavin Rowley, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Safran UK

Special Incident Award

WINNER: Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

Sponsor: Airbus Helicopters

Air Operations Support Staff Member of the Year

WINNER: Paul Smith, London’s Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Allianz UK

Outstanding Young Person Award

WINNER: Ali Layard, Great Western Air Ambulance

Sponsor: Babcock MCS Onshore

AAA Chairman’s Award

WINNER: Paul Westaway