2024 Year in Review – part 2
March 7, 2025
Every second counts: make your defibrillator ready when it matters
March 20, 2026
WE PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
Cardiac arrests were the most common call-out for our crew in 2025, affecting people of all ages. Through our Great Western Hearts programme, we expanded CPR and defibrillator training, equipped more communities and grew our volunteer team to empower the public — the vital first link in the chain of survival.
We supported communities to install 86 new defibs to help when seconds count
defibrillators
deployments
volunteers
Thank you to everyone who became a defib host:
39 Sercombe Park (funded by June Wigginton)
Astra Security Limited
Clevedon Town Council
Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Blood Bike Service
Oakdale Community Lifesavers
St Mary's Indian Orthodox Church, Pilning
Victoria Primary School (funded by Free Masons)
Mark's story
Mark Moran suffered a sudden cardiac arrest when he was out on a social bike ride. His friends rang 999 and performed CPR while a Community First Responder hurried to them with a defib.
Our crew landed in a field nearby to help treat Mark. They monitored his blood pressure, heart rate and consciousness level ensuring he was stable enough to be flown straight to the cardiology team at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, bypassing the nearest hospital.
Six months later, Mark completed the Bristol Half Marathon for GWAAC. He now volunteers for us by giving talks to local community groups.
“It has astounded me to learn how big the chain is that needs to keep someone alive. It reinforces the need for speed.”
In 2025 Great Western Hearts taught 10,048 people:
people were taught CPR and defibrillation:
school students
people at community events
members of staff in businesses
students were taught first aid for a stabbing injury
We introduced lifesaving teaching tools in primary schools
In 2025, we created, trialled and rolled out our Key Stage 2 Junior Hearts programme — a CPR education initiative designed to give primary school children confidence to help in an emergency. The programme includes a training film, infographic pillowcases for hands-on practice and adaptable digital classroom resources. Through Junior Hearts, 451 children across 14 primary schools were taught essential lifesaving skills.
“I like science so it was good for me. I know lots about the heart already and now I know how to save a life.”
We were Highly Commended for Innovation of the Year at Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence
Judges praised it’s fun, ready-to-use resources that make learning easy and engaging.
Breaking barriers in CPR
We created tailored resources for students whose first language isn’t English, helping them access the Great Western Hearts CPR programme. We provided materials in Spanish and Polish, ensuring more young people could gain lifesaving skills, no matter their language or background.
BE THE CHARITY THAT LOCAL PEOPLE CHOOSE TO SUPPORT
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE THE DIFFERENCE
Our Ground Crew volunteered at more than 75 regional events, connecting with local communities and increasing awareness of GWAAC’s purpose and lifesaving impact
donated by 586 volunteers
Over 100 hours were given to support our clinical education activities by participating in simulations
Celebrating five outstanding Ground Crew volunteers
We are proud of every one of our Ground Crew volunteers and, in 2025, were delighted to
celebrate five who represent different areas of our volunteering through Room to Reward
– a charity that rewards volunteers with a complimentary break in recognition of their
selfless contributions.
Janet
Steve
Phil
Joanna
Claire
Volunteers connecting communities through our shops
Our 13 charity shops often serve as people's first point of contact with us. Thank you to our wonderful retail volunteers who took pride in providing a warm, welcoming presence and valued the connections they built with their teams, local people and regular customers throughout the year.
In 2025, our retail volunteers took on a wide variety of roles across our shops. They served customers, created inviting spaces, sorted and prepared stock, designed eye-catching displays, and kept the shops tidy and organised. Volunteers also carried out specialist tasks such as PAT testing, transferring stock and valuing items, while engaging with the public to share GWAAC’s lifesaving work and encourage further support.
“I really appreciate being part of this community and the positive purpose it gives me."
Pubs raised lifesaving funds through quizzes, harvest festivals and more
In 2025, 51 pubs across our region supported GWAAC, raising an impressive £28,000! Fundraising activities were diverse, from the Upper Bilson Inn’s Tractor Run to harvest festivals like those at the Dog House in Cinderford. Quiz nights, fun days, raffles and even head shaves — every bit of creativity helped make a difference.
Sports clubs scored big to keep us flying
A wide range of local sports clubs supported GWAAC, from football, cricket and rugby teams to golf, bowls, angling, rambling, cycling and horse-riding groups. Through collections, raffles, dinners and competitions, these clubs raised nearly £75,000 to help keep our helicopter flying and crew responding to emergencies across the region.
Mark’s Story
TV Presenter and Archaeologist Mark Horton was doing routine maintenance on a moored yacht in Lydney Harbour when it suddenly fell on its side as the tide receded. Mark was thrown three to four metres into shallow mud and cold water. In writhing pain, he saw that his hand was at a right angle to his arm.
Our crew was dispatched immediately. On arrival, they assessed Mark and administered strong pain relief. PHEM Trainee Dr Celestine Weegenaar carefully realigned his arm to restore blood flow. These interventions made a significant difference to Mark’s comfort and outcome.
“It was the drugs that made the difference. I can’t imagine the amount of agony I would have been in without them. The high level of care I received that day, at the scene of my accident, meant I have no long-term damage and can continue a normal life.”
Talks hosts inspired communities across the region
13 dedicated talks volunteers delivered 116 informative talks to various organisations, including businesses, schools and community groups. From lunch clubs and WIs to university societies and motor enthusiasts, they shared a behind-the-scenes look at our airbase operations and the crew who save lives every day. Through these sessions, volunteers inspired local people and helped raise awareness of our lifesaving work.
Highly Commended for Young Person of the Year at Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence
Sophie Pascoe from Weston-super-Mare was Highly Commended in the Young Person of the Year category for her fundraising efforts. Inspired by GWAAC’s care for her late grandfather, Sophie raised over £6,000 through two swimathon challenges, including distances equivalent to the English Channel and Mount Everest.
"A huge congratulations to Sophie for her incredible swimming challenges and being Highly Commended for this well-deserved award. Her dedication to fundraising and honouring her Grandad is truly inspiring."
Pushing their limits to raise vital funds
Across the year, 40 individuals took on running, cycling, walking or swimming challenges, collectively raising over £42,000! Thank you to everyone who pushed their limits and challenged themselves to support GWAAC.
Friends Tom, Emma and Nicholas took on the Tough Mudder South West, conquering mud crawls, vertical walls, ice plunges and electric wires to raise an impressive £1,115. Emma said, “We had so much fun doing it. The obstacles were fantastic and we did get a couple of shocks!”
We partnered with local organisations
Daring new heights
In May, we held our second Dare the Drop Abseil, where 54 intrepid supporters made their way up to the roof of Ashton Gate Stadium to abseil 75ft down to the side of the pitch.
The day was filled with adrenaline, encouragement and celebration. Everyone pushed their limits and got to say “I Dared the Drop!”. Thanks to our amazing supporters an incredible £24,000 was raised to support our mission.
Laughing together to make a difference
We were delighted to continue our long-standing Heli Laughs partnerships with corporate sponsors whose support enabled the event to go ahead, brought in top comedians, and raised over £15,000 for our lifesaving work.
We had excellent performances from comedians Angela Barnes, Jin Hao Li, Stuart Goldsmith, Dani Johns, June Tuesday and Charlie Bowers.
Huge thanks to our 2025 sponsors: Comply 365, Acorn Health and Safety, Craddys, and Roxburgh Milkins.
Winner of Supplier of the Year at Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence
FLT Group won this award for their outstanding support to us over the past 12 months. As our trusted facilities management partner, they’ve kept operations safe, maintained key projects and gone the extra mile.
"FLT Group work quietly behind the scenes, but their dedication and reliability are vital to keeping us operational and ready to respond."
Corporate teams cycled to raise record funds
In September, a team of Bristol Airport
colleagues led by Chief Executive Dave Lees joined forces with 21 supply chain partners to take on an incredible two-day, 160-mile cycle challenge, from London to Bristol Airport raising
a record-breaking £110,800!
A huge thank you to all who took part and the incredible corporate support from Lancer Scott Ltd, Ryebridge Construction Ltd, J&G Fencing, Lagan Airport Maintenance Ltd, The Development Studio Ltd, PLS Civil Engineering Ltd, Stantec, G2 Signs, Farrans, DMC Contracts Ltd, Burroughs, Turner & Townsend Infrastructure, Chase Consulting, AMP Architects, Barnwood, Morgan Laroche and Alun Griffiths.
BE AN EXCELLENT ORGANISATION
OUR FINANCES
Where our money came from*
How our money was spent
*Figures subject to audit
CREATE A MISSION SUPPORT CENTRE
We progressed the development of our future home
During 2025, we made significant progress towards realising our ambition to create a Mission Support Centre at our airbase in Almondsbury. This new hub will be a multi-purpose, inspiring and collaborative space for our clinical and support teams. The Mission Support Centre will create a safe, welcoming space for patients, supporters and GWAAC's team, helping us raise more funds and ensuring we can be there for more people across the South West today, tomorrow and for many years to come .
Throughout 2025, works took place on site under the supervision of lead contractors, E.G. Carter, with the enabling works completed in the autumn. These works have delivered a new access road, ducting and car park foundations, as well as electric vehicle chargers.
LOOKING FORWARD
During 2026, we plan to:
- Evaluate and implement new clinical interventions and operational approaches that improve patient care and help us deliver clinical excellence
- Continue to invest in our crew through training, professional qualifications and other support, empowering them to perform at their best and deliver industry-leading care
- Continue our clinical outreach work, including hosting a multi-agency Clinical Symposium, and supporting land ambulance paramedics in enhancing their knowledge of when to call GWAAC and how to support our crew
- Replace three critical care cars with new hybrid models
- Commence a pilot project to deliver and evaluate clinician-led support to former patients and their families
- Prepare to build a solar farm, in partnership with Bristol Energy Cooperative, at our Almondsbury site
- Open three additional shops to generate sustainable income while being environmentally responsible and supporting local communities
- Expand the placement of public access defibrillators, prioritising high-need locations across our region to maximise accessibility and impact
- Continue training CPR and defib training to communities across our region through our Great Western Hearts programme, including the expansion of Junior Hearts
- Prepare for the main building works as we continue work on the creation of our Mission Support Centre
Our long-term aspirations are to:
- Provide a 24/7 service
- Formalise the employment of our Consultant Doctors
- Become carbon neutral by 2030
- Develop a patient liaison service
- Create a Mission Support Centre at Almondsbury
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We need your support, now more than ever. Without you, our crew would not be there. Together, we save local lives.
How to Help
Set up a regular gift
Any donation helps our Critical Care Team respond to those in urgent need. By choosing to give a monthly donation, you’ll be helping us plan ahead for long-term improvements.
Leave a gift in your will
Once you have remembered your loved ones, you can choose to support us well into the future by leaving a gift in your will.
