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Air Ambulances UK has announced the winners of the 2025 Awards of Excellence, sponsored by Babcock International Group and hosted by Dr Dawn Harper at the Telford International Conference Centre.
This annual event celebrates the exceptional achievements, commitment and expertise of those who bring specialist lifesaving skills to the air ambulance sector.
“Congratulations to our 2025 Awards of Excellence winners. These awards shine a light on the extraordinary individuals, teams, and supporters who make it possible for air ambulance charities to deliver critical care every single day.
“The standard of nominations this year was remarkable, and we are proud to recognise those who go above and beyond to support patients, families, and the wider sector. My thanks go to our judges for their thoughtful consideration, and to Babcock International Group for generously sponsoring this year’s awards.”
Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO of Air Ambulances UK.
In no particular order, the award winners are:
Young Person of the Year – Sponsored by: Sloane Helicopters
WINNER: Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
At just 10 years old, a young person has shown remarkable strength, resilience, and compassion following the traumatic Southport incident in July 2024. After sustaining life-changing injuries, she transformed her experience into a force for good, creating the Luna Rose Foundation to support the emergency services who saved her life. In a matter of months, she raised an incredible £15,000, later visiting the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity airbase to meet the crew who treated her. Her courage, determination, and generous spirit make her an inspiring young fundraiser.
Critical Care Practitioner of the Year – Sponsored by: Zoll
WINNER: Stephen Westbrook, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Stephen has demonstrated outstanding leadership and clinical expertise throughout the past year, delivering exemplary care to patients while supporting colleagues at incident scenes with calm and compassion. His work has transformed Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s service, including the creation of a voluntary responder scheme providing over 2,591 hours of cover and reaching 45 critically ill patients. Stephen’s contributions to major incident planning, festival support and a successful 24-hour critical care trial have significantly improved patient outcomes across the region.
Breaking Barriers Award – Sponsored by: Bell Flight Textron
WINNER: Nicola Cooper, Magpas Air Ambulance
Nicola has championed equality, inclusion, and accessible lifesaving education since joining Magpas Air Ambulance in 2021. Determined to ensure that CPR and defibrillator skills are available to everyone, she has built trusted relationships with underrepresented groups, including women’s groups, refugees, and the Cambridge Mosque. By adapting and translating training materials and fostering safe spaces for learning, Nicola has trained more than 6,000 people aged 8 to 99 in the past year alone – with 100% reporting they now feel confident to act in a cardiac emergency.
Aftercare Supporter of the Year – Sponsored by: HCC Solicitors & Slater and Gordon
WINNER: Adam Crosby, Thames Valley Air Ambulance
Adam has profoundly strengthened aftercare within Thames Valley Air Ambulance and across the wider sector. His clinical insight and commitment have directly contributed to lifesaving interventions, including ensuring that one young patient received urgent treatment after initial findings were inconclusive. Adam has played a central role in developing the charity’s highly regarded aftercare service, which provides crucial support, advocacy, and reassurance to patients and families. His dedication exemplifies the transformative power of effective aftercare.
Trustee of the Year – Sponsored by: Peninsula Global Ltd
WINNER: Chris Carey, Magpas Air Ambulance
In just 18 months, Chris has made an exceptional contribution to Magpas Air Ambulance. A long-standing supporter who previously raised more than £20,000 as Captain of a Cambridgeshire golf club, Chris has since provided invaluable governance and oversight as a Trustee. His expertise has guided major decisions, including fast-tracking procurement of a new helicopter and navigating the complexities of a gifted piece of land. He is a highly visible advocate for the charity, championing its work at key events and helping raise more than £150,000 through an annual corporate golf day.
Charity Staff Member of the Year – Sponsored by: Bee Ethical
WINNER: Sarah Atkins, East Anglian Air Ambulance
Across her ten years with East Anglian Air Ambulance, Sarah played a central role in strengthening workplace culture, championing mental health, and developing inclusive practices. Her strategic thinking shaped the evolution of the charity’s patient liaison service into the clinically focused Aftercare Service, which supported 473 people last year alone. Sarah’s leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting positive impact on colleagues, patients, and the wider charity.
Campaign of the Year – Sponsored by: Lottery Fundraising Services
WINNER: ‘Sing It Home’, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust
‘Sing It Home’ was an outstanding creative achievement designed to raise £2.85 million towards a second helicopter. Bringing together more than 500 musicians from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the campaign produced a professional-quality album that captured hearts across the UK. Its headline single reached number 11 in the official UK charts, outperforming global artists over the Christmas period, and generated more than 309,000 video views. The campaign achieved widespread national coverage and played a significant role in meeting the fundraising target.
Supplier of the Year
WINNER: FLT Group, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
FLT Group has become an essential partner for Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, providing exceptional facilities management support over the past three years. Amid rising costs and operational pressures, FLT has ensured the airbase remains safe, compliant, and fully operational, reducing facilities expenditure by around 50%. Their contributions go beyond maintenance, including funding a public defibrillator, donating a van for the Retail Team, and helping refurbish the crew [CJ1] quiet room. Their support has played a vital role in the charity’s ability to respond when it matters most.
Innovation of the Year – Sponsored by: Vulkan Industries
WINNER: IMPACT – Centre for Post-Collision Research, Innovation and Translation, Devon Air Ambulance Trust
Launched in 2024, IMPACT is the world’s first dedicated centre focused on improving outcomes from road injury through post-collision research. Building on Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s EXIT Project, the centre brings together clinicians, rescue services, and policymakers to drive system-wide improvement. From the Road Injury Chain of Survival to globally significant innovations such as the U-STEP OUT algorithm and Utstein-Style Reporting Guidelines, IMPACT is shaping the future of road injury response and demonstrating the powerful influence of charitable-led research.
Charity Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by: Wild in Art
WINNER: Marcus Christie, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland
Motivated by a personal connection to the service, Marcus has dedicated himself to supporting Air Ambulance Northern Ireland with extraordinary passion. His efforts have raised more than £20,000 through a Kilimanjaro climb and gala, funding over four days of lifesaving operations. Marcus has provided more than 80 volunteer hours, delivered awareness talks across the country, and offered free professional consultancy. He is now undertaking a 400-mile “Cork-2-Port” walk aiming to raise a further £20,000. Marcus is a determined advocate whose efforts and insight have helped strengthen lifesaving care for people across Northern Ireland.
Operations Support Staff of the Year – Sponsored by: Stewarts
WINNER: Abby Lock, Devon Air Ambulance Trust
Since stepping into her role last year, Abby has revitalised Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s Exmouth shop, transforming it into the charity’s top-performing store. She has built a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing team, introducing innovative ideas, safer processes, and creative solutions. Her leadership has created a vibrant, positive environment for staff, volunteers, and customers alike, with the shop achieving the highest sales in the organisation in 2024. Abby’s dedication and enthusiasm make her an invaluable member of the charity.
Pilot of the Year – Sponsored by: Babcock International Group
WINNER: Captain Kev Rutherford, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Captain Kev Rutherford has been an exceptional HEMS pilot for five years, recognised for his technical skill, calm leadership, and compassionate approach. A former military instructor, Kev is deeply committed to supporting colleagues, from mentoring new pilots to championing wellbeing through the charity’s Welfare Group. He also volunteers as a Community First Responder and has supported humanitarian efforts by delivering medical supplies to Ukrainian hospitals. Kev’s dedication, humility, and professionalism embody the highest standards of air ambulance aviation.
Charity Team of the Year – Sponsored by: Aeroptimo
WINNER: #HELi2 Appeal Team, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust
In an exceptionally challenging fundraising climate, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust’s ten-person fundraising team delivered extraordinary results. Alongside sustaining £8m in annual income, the team raised an additional £2.85m to secure a second helicopter. Their innovative approach saw record levels of engagement, with a rebranded lottery, a £2.7m increase in legacy income, and 93 trust awards totalling £439,000. Their strategic creativity and resilience have strengthened the future of lifesaving care in Cornwall.
Doctor of the Year – Sponsored by: Leonardo Helicopters
WINNER: Dr Paul Rees, East Anglian Air Ambulance
Dr Paul Rees is a visionary clinician transforming out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care. Combining expertise in interventional cardiology and pre-hospital emergency medicine, he founded the pioneering SPEAR programme and leads the national ERICA-ARREST trial. Under his leadership, clinicians are now able to deliver physiology-guided interventions previously only possible in hospitals. Paul is internationally recognised for his training and mentorship, and he continues to champion patient dignity, colleague wellbeing, and clinical excellence across the sector.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by: Airbus
WINNER: Dr David Zideman, Thames Valley Air Ambulance & Dr Simon Lewis, Magpas Air Ambulance
Dr David Zideman has shaped emergency and pre-hospital medicine globally for more than five decades. A founding member of the Resuscitation Council and author of over 130 scientific papers, his work continues to influence clinical practice worldwide. His leadership across BASICS, St John Ambulance, and the London 2012 Olympic Games, alongside his service as Honorary Physician to the Queen, reflects a career defined by innovation, education, and dedication to patient care.
Dr Simon Lewis has been a guiding force in pre-hospital emergency medicine for more than 20 years. He co-created the first structured PHEM training course, developed the 10 themes that underpin today’s national curriculum, and helped secure GMC recognition for the specialty. His leadership of the East of England Major Trauma Network transformed trauma care across the region, and his support for clinicians has inspired countless careers. Simon’s legacy is felt across the NHS and the air ambulance sector.
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