Industry awards of 2024 round-up

Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence

Air Ambulances UK has announced the winners of the 2024 Awards of Excellence, hosted by Air Ambulances UK Ambassador Charlotte Hawkins at the Coventry Building Society Arena. This annual event celebrates the remarkable achievements and dedication of those who bring their specialist lifesaving skills to the air ambulance sector across the UK.

The winners, in no order, include:

Young Person of the Year

Winner: Ethan Ross-Smith
Ross-Smith has demonstrated exceptional dedication, from abseiling 75ft off a stadium roof to raising funds for essential crew kit and volunteering tirelessly at events.

Critical Care Practitioner of the Year

Winner: Neil Bizzell, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Leading the Outreach Programme, Bizzell has delivered 24 education events this year alone, often in his own time.

Breaking Barriers

Winner: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
With its strong focus on inclusivity, the charity ensures accessibility for all, incorporating clear, visual instructions to accommodate visually impaired and dyslexic people, and those with English as a second language.

Trustee of the Year

Winner: Mike Beale, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance
As Interim Chair of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, Beale provided strength and compassion during a challenging time, guiding the team through the sudden loss of Founding Chairman John Bullough.

Charity Staff Member of the Year

Winner: Sam Disney, Magpas Air Ambulance
As the charity’s first staff member dedicated to volunteering, Disney has streamlined operations, introduced improved tracking systems to recognize volunteer contributions effectively, and launched a rewards system to boost engagement.

Campaign of the Year

Winner: Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex
When its long-standing aviation partner faced sudden administration, the charity took quick action to secure its second helicopter. In just six weeks, it launched its largest-ever integrated fundraising appeal, rallying individuals, businesses, schools, and major donors around the critical goal of purchasing a new helicopter.

Innovation of the Year

Winner: Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex
Harnessing the power of technology, Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex delivered live-streamed CPR and defibrillator training sessions to 17,000 people of all ages.

Charity Supporter of the Year

Winner: Tom Budgett, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
With an 45-year career in commercial aviation law, Budgett has generously provided pro bono legal expertise to air ambulance charities across the UK since 2017.

Operations Support Staff of the Year

Winner: Scott Todd, Magpas Air Ambulance
Todd plays an essential role in the Magpas Air Ambulance technical crew, supporting navigation, communication, and hazard spotting, as well as overseeing key operational tasks like managing Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) and coordinating fuel deliveries.

Pilot of the Year

Winner: Captain Steve Norris, East Anglian Air Ambulance
With 18 years of flying experience, Norris has completed 163 missions over the past year, including 44 in the dark and 56 with seriously ill patients on board.

Charity Team of the Year

Winner: Retail team, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance
Thanks to their dedication and innovative strategies, the retail team achieved a 437% increase in net profit for 2023/24. All nine charity shops saw 24% growth, while e-commerce sales grew by an impressive 161%.

Doctor of the Year

Winner: Dr Laura Bland, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
As a Critical Care Doctor and leader of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine Training (PHEM) Programme, Bland has made an extraordinary impact on patient care and the development of pre-hospital critical care.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Gillian Bryce, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Bryce’s advocacy for expanding air ambulance services led to the creation of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in 2000, prior to which her work as Medical Director helped pave the way for Devon Air Ambulance’s seven-day service in 1997.

Special Recognition Award

Winner: Heléna Holt from Devon Air Ambulance
As CEO for 17 years, Holt has been a transformative force in the sector, leading Devon Air Ambulance through remarkable growth.

The Air League Awards

The Air League 2024 Annual Reception brought together leading figures from the aviation and aerospace sector to honor outstanding contributions to the field. Held in the UK’s House of Commons on 19 November, the reception featured keynote speeches from Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority Sir Stephen Hillier GCB CBE; Chair of the Transport Committee Ruth Cadbury MP; and Chief Executive Officer of the Air League Janine Hornsby.

Gold Medal
Winner: Air Commodore Tony Keeling OBE

Founders’ Medal
Winner: Kerissa Khan

President’s Award
Winner: John Steel KC

Companionship Medal
Winner: Robert Pooley LVO MBE

Scott-Farnie Medal
Winner: Robin Lipscombe MBE and Keirron Mascall

Jeffrey Quill Medal
Winner: Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee

Marshall of Cambridge Medal
Winner: Lucy Isabel Dakin-Scott

Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Award
Winner: Carlton Real and Jason Bibby

The final award of the evening, the Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Award, was presented by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence KCVO CB, a retired Royal Navy officer and supporter of the charity. The award was given to Winch Paramedic Carlton Real and Winch Operator Jason Bibby for their courageous rescue of two people cut off by the rising tide at Bassets Cove, Cornwall.

The Royal Aeronautical Society Awards

The awards celebration, held at No.4 Hamilton Place, London, saw leaders in aviation, aerospace and space recognized for their significant contributions, from space innovation to supporting humanitarian aid and addressing social barriers through flight.

Honorary Fellowship
Winner: Group Captain Peter Hackett

Honorary Fellowship
Winner: Professor Balakumar Balachandran

Honorary Companion
Winner: Corinne Matthews

RAeS Gold Medal
Winner: Sue Partridge

Geoffrey Pardoe Space Award
Winner: Dr Josef Aschbacher

Women in Aviation, Aerospace and Space Committee Award
Winner: Sally Smith

Roger Green Medal
Winner: Brenton Hayward

Herbet Le Sueur Award
Winner: Thomas Turner

Alan Marsh Award
Winner: Isobel Taylor

Turnbuckle Award
Winner: Chris Lawrence

Team Gold Award
Winner: The Journey to UltraFan team

Young Persons’ Achievement Award
Winner: Danielle Ashwell

ITIJ Awards

The 2024 ITIJ Awards were held in Vienna, Austria, in November. They celebrate leaders in the health and travel insurance industry and recognize the air ambulance sector as a large and important element in interplay between all stakeholders.

Air Ambulance Company of the Year Award

Winner: European Air Ambulance
European Air Ambulance (EAA) is one of the largest specialized air ambulance service providers in Europe, offering worldwide air ambulance repatriation with outstanding end-to-end patient care.

“The entire EAA team is honored and proud to have been awarded with the ‘ITIJ Air Ambulance Company of the Year’ title,” said a spokesperson for the EAA. “Especially after a year filled with challenges, this recognition is a meaningful reward for the hard work and dedication. This milestone inspires us to further continue our commitment to delivering medical and operational excellence for our patients and clients.”