Air Ambulances UK presents 2023 Awards of Excellence winners

Air Ambulances UK has announced the 2023 Awards of Excellence winners, who were recognised at the awards ceremony hosted by Hayley McQueen.

The annual awards celebrate and recognise the dedicated professionals who tirelessly contribute their specialised lifesaving skills and unwavering commitment to the air ambulance community.

Air Ambulances UK said that the panel of judges deliberated long and hard over some very difficult decisions due to the outstanding quality of the nominations.

The award winners are:

• Campaign of the Year – Cornwall Air Ambulance
• Charity Staff Member of the Year – Natalie Church, Director of Operations, Magpas Air Ambulance
• Charity Team of the Year – Cornwall Air Ambulance
• Charity Supporter of the Year – Polledri family, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
• Critical Care Practitioner of the Year – Matt Sawyer, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance
• Innovation of the Year – Magpas Air Ambulance
• Operations Support Staff of the Year – Greg Browning, Wales Air Ambulance
• Special Recognition Award – Rob Collingwood, Wiltshire Air Ambulance
• Pilot of the Year – Captain Russ Myles, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance
• Special Incident of the Year – Wales Air Ambulance
• Young Person of the Year – Molly Harris
• Trustee of the Year – Barney Burgess, Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Ian Roberts, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
• Chairs Award – Cliff Gale, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

Simmy Akhtar, Air Ambulances UK CEO, said: “Congratulations to our 2023 Awards of Excellence winners and their outstanding contributions. Our panel of judges made some tough decisions when choosing the winners and we would like to thank everyone who entered.

“Despite continuously having to face global and national challenges, the air ambulance community throughout the UK has remained determined to provide the highest-level specialised patient care at the scene.

“All nominees across categories, along with the shortlisted candidates and winners, collectively form a united group that collaborates to support their local communities during times of necessity. We extend our immense gratitude to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters within our life-saving community.”