Everyone walked away very humbly last night after the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, where we heard tale after tale of heroism, medical excellence, teamwork, and incredible fundraising and flying skills.
The event brought together shortlisted candidates from associations across the country to recognise their fantastic work of the past year. The Masters of Ceremonies presenting the awards were the wonderful double act of Louise Minchin, BBC Breakfast presenter, and GP / comic/ Private Eye journalist, Dr Phil Hammond.
I chaired the judging panel that met on the 23rd October and had the honour of reading all the applications. There were some remarkable and humbling accounts of professionalism and composure under the most challenging of circumstances, as well selfless charity and commitment to the organisation. Despite all the noteworthy applications, we had to choose winners and the full list of those awarded were:
Air Ambulance Paramedic of the Year
Graham Chalk – lead paramedic and Clinical Liason Officer with London Air Ambulance. Since 2004, he has personally selected, trained and mentored all paramedics seconded to London’s Air Ambulance.
Air Ambulance Campaign of the Year
Devon Air Ambulance
Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year
Neil Jeffers – from London Air Ambulance who regularly navigates one of the busiest air spaces in the world and is a keen fundraiser, having run eight marathons in six days in the Middle East!
Charity Volunteer of the Year
Jenny "Chopper" Ashman – the longest serving volunteer awarded with over 20 years service, fundraising in excess of £1.7 million!
Air Ambulance Doctor of the Year
Dr Anne Weaver – as lead clinician at London’s Air Ambulance, Anne has been involved in many high profile operations including the London 7/7 bombings and the recent Woolwich incident.
Charity Staff Member of the Year
Janice Flower – from Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, took over a stagnant lottery scheme and turned it into a great success with membership rising from 19,000 to 93,000.
Special Incident Award
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – helped in a unique industrial accident.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Gareth Davies – 20 years service to London Air Ambulance and the wider emergency health care service. By far the biggest cheer was for Gareth Davies, who has truly changed the world of Air Ambulances.
AAA Chairman’s Award
Clive Dickin – outstanding service as National Director of the Association of Air Ambulances
Outstanding Young Person of the Year Award
Poppy Young – joined the Essex & Herts Charity to raise funds in various ways. She has written her own children’s stories endorsed by Royalty, politicians and celebrities.
It was notable that those invovled in the 7/7 bombings and the recent Woolwich atrocity
were particuarly commended
.After the awards Dr Phil gave a speech / comedy routine; I promised not to repeat too much of his best material but the occasion he sewed a glove to a parients head, and his disastrous temproary misdiagnosis in his Bristol STD clinic will live long in the memory.
Amongst the all anecdotes and jokes about life at the coalface of primary care provision over the last 20 years, he made the serious point that transparency is key to the future success of the NHS, an apposite point in light of the Statement that was made in the Commons today regarding the Government’s response to the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry.
It was an excellent evening and fantastic to applaud the outstanding work undertaken by the Air Ambulance Associations all across the country. Congratulations to all those nominated and the winners. Keep up the good work, and make sure you contact and use your MPs to help achieve the local change that you seek. I walked home feeling very humble.
