Midlands Air Ambulance Charity broke its final fundraising figure record for its Recognition Awards and Charity Ball event, raising an incredible £84,080, which will fund 55 vitally important missions.
In September, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity recognised several of its committed supporters, volunteers, fundraisers and lifesaving aircrew at its annual Recognition Awards and Charity Ball.
The event, sponsored by Halesowen-based IT company, EBC Group, was hosted by Heart West Midlands’ Ed James who was accompanied by three co-hosts throughout the evening: BBC Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, Annette Badland, star of stage and screen, and ITN broadcaster, Nina Hossain.
In addition to recognising individuals and organisations that have made a significant difference to the charity over the past 12 months, the evening also raised a record breaking £84,080 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s pre-hospital emergency service. This amount will help make 55 lifesaving missions possible – 26 via air ambulance and 29 in the organisation’s fleet of critical care cars.
Here is a round-up of the deserving winners and highly commended finalists in the West Midlands:
Charity Volunteer Award – Awarded to an everyday hero, a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty and dedication to the charity. Sponsored by: Unity4
Winner: Elspeth Martin BEM
Mrs Elspeth Martin BEM, aged 91, is a great community ambassador and the face of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in her local area (Marston Green, Solihull). Elspeth has volunteered for the charity for more than 25 years and in that time has helped raised a phenomenal £50,000.
Charity Shop Volunteer Award – Awarded to an everyday hero, a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty and dedication to the charity within the charity shops. Sponsored by: Fusion Communications
Winner: Susan Turner
Susan is always happy to help in the charity’s West Bromwich shop where she has been volunteering for more than two years. During that time, she has encouraged 10 people interested in volunteering to inquire about opportunities. Susan has shown outstanding commitment and has been crucial in creating a positive workplace environment in the shop.
Crew Award – Awarded to a member of the clinical or operational team who has been recognised by their colleagues for going above and beyond the call of duty to support patient care. Sponsored by: Airbus
Winner: Dr Mark Nash, medical director, and pre-hospital emergency medicine doctor
The charity’s medical director, Dr Mark Nash’s leadership and dedication to the charity’s clinical team has been nothing short of exceptional. His work has been pivotal in improving care and expanding Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving service.
Community Fundraiser Award – Awarded to an individual, group or society that has demonstrated significant support and commitment to raising lifesaving funds. Sponsored by: Pallet-Track
Winners: Dan & Nathan McGarry
Wolverhampton Council grounds and maintenance worker, Kevin McGarry, died in July 2023 after being taken ill at work. He suffered significant injuries after falling from a lawnmower at Aldersley Leisure Village. Since then, his nephews, Dan and Nathan McGarry, along with the wider family and friends raised more than £4,300 at a charity football match they held in their Uncle Kevin’s memory.
Highly Commended: Brett Harris & Blaze Hair Salon
Brett Harris, owner of Blaze Hair Salon in Kingswinford was highly commended in this category for his fundraising in memory of his friend and colleague, Kerry Boucker, who passed away in December 2023.
Corporate Partnership Award – Awarded to an organisation and its employees who have demonstrated hard work, initiative, and commitment through their CSR policy to raise awareness of and vital donations for the charity. Sponsored by: M6toll
Highly Commended: Pallet-Track
Pallet-Track’s support of the charity, from fundraising to volunteering, has been exceptional. The team set a final fundraising target of £75,000 and has already surpassed the £50,000 mark through several activities.
Star Award – Awarded to a group, organisation or individual that has gone above and beyond to support the charity. Sponsored by: Gama Aviation
Winners: West Midlands Fire Service fundraising in memory of Iain Hughes
Iain Hughes, a crew manager at Wednesbury Fire Station, had been raising funds for The Fire Fighters’ Charity, British Heart Foundation and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by swimming the English Channel. He began his swim in June 2023 accompanied by a support boat, he later went missing in the water and sadly his body was found.
Iain’s colleagues at West Midlands Fire Service held various fundraising events to help Iain exceed his £21,000 target. 18 car washes were held across the service’s fire stations in his honour and a 36-hour indoor swim relay fundraiser in March also raised £5,500 within the first day of the two-day challenge.
Special Incident Award – Awarded to a specific clinical and operational team who demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork on a particularly challenging mission. Sponsored by: EBC Group
Winner: Dr David Balthazor, and critical care paramedics, Colin Shurrock-Apps, Grant Salsby and Kerry Hemus
The crew’s teamwork and quick intervention in a complex road traffic collision saved the life of a three-year-old female. The youngster had suffered a traumatic brain injury and required lifesaving intervention on scene.
Emma Gray, chief operating officer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “As a pre-hospital emergency service founded within the communities we serve, we are extremely proud of all our deserving winners from this year’s Recognition Awards and Charity Ball who have helped to raise awareness of our charitable status and funds to ensure we can operate continue making missions possible.
“We appreciate the support we receive from all our fundraisers, volunteers, donors and corporate partners across the counties we serve and would like to congratulate all our winners on the night.”
Learn more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting the website and following the organisation on social media.
