Our new fleet of critical care cars have arrived!
August 25, 2026
The people behind the orange
September 29, 2026
We're pleased to announce that two of our nominations for this year's Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence have been shortlisted for an award:
- Charity Supporter of the Year
- Charity Team of the Year
This is a wonderful tribute to the hard work and dedication shown by Great Western Air Ambulance Charity's (GWAAC) supporters and staff for the lifesaving service that we provide. Air Ambulances UK said their panel of judges "faced the challenge of selecting finalists from an outstanding group of nominees, each representing the remarkable dedication and expertise within the air ambulance sector."
We’re very proud of our shortlisted nominees; find out why below.
About the awards
The awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the excellence of those involved in the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities across the UK.
It’s an amazing opportunity to come together to recognise the outstanding achievements of charity teams, campaigns, innovations, volunteers, and young people as well as clinical and aviation excellence.
The 2026 awards ceremony will take place at the Telford International Centre on 3 December.
Last year we celebrated when three of our shortlisted nominees were highly commended and another won an award.
This year, Mike McGrath, CEO of Air Ambulances UK, said: “Congratulations to everyone shortlisted for the Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence 2026. The standard of nominations this year has been truly inspiring and reflects the dedication, skill and compassion of the people who make such a difference to patients, families and communities across the UK. These awards are an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individuals, teams and supporters whose contribution helps air ambulance charities deliver critical care when it is needed most. I would like to wish all of our finalists the very best of luck and thank our judging panel for the time and care they have given to selecting this year’s outstanding nominees. I would also like to thank Babcock International Group for its continued support of the Awards and for helping us celebrate the remarkable achievements of the air ambulance sector.”
Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence winners 2025
GWAAC's finalists
Yate and Sodbury Scooter Club present cheques following their fundraising
Charity Supporter of the Year – Yate and Sodbury Scooter Club
(Nominated in collaboration with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance)
On 31 May 2025, a group of friends from Yate & Sodbury Scooter Club set off on a scooter trip to Normandy. Just miles from home, their journey took a devastating turn when they were involved in a serious multi-vehicle collision near Warminster, Wiltshire. Tragically, despite the desperate efforts of the crews from GWAAC, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance, three of the Club’s members lost their lives — Rob and Marie at the scene. Tim was airlifted but died later in hospital.
Amid unimaginable loss, the members of Yate & Sodbury Scooter Club did something positive in memory of their friends and to support the air ambulance charities who tried to save them. In less than three months, what began as an individual fundraising appeal quickly became a much bigger community-led campaign bringing together scooter clubs, individuals and supporters across the UK and beyond.
The Club didn't simply ask for donations; they organised fundraising activities, encouraged others to get involved, led their own media engagement and built lasting relationships with all three charities. Their efforts inspired independent fundraising by other clubs, as far away as Germany, increased awareness of the work of air ambulance charities and created a lasting connection between the Club and the organisations that responded that day. Eighteen months on, the Club has raised a staggering £25,000 for the three air ambulance charities, raising awareness and building lasting connections. Their efforts will help future patients and families for years to come.
Charity Team of the Year – Volunteer Experience Improvement Team
In the last 12 months, a team of six from across GWAAC has transformed how we support and manage our volunteer Ground Crew, which has grown to more than 400 volunteers.
The team have delivered measurable improvements in organisational capacity, volunteer recruitment and volunteer engagement. They overcame hurdles to take us from dated systems and admin-heavy processes, to a modern volunteer management system that provides a more consistent and efficient experience for both volunteers and staff.
The group developed a business case for a new volunteer management system, capable of supporting GWAAC's future growth, and led a phased implementation across the organisation.
In the first half of 2026 alone, GWAAC recruited 83 new volunteers compared with 56 across the whole of 2025, while volunteering activities such as community talks have increased by 20%.
Volunteers now benefit from a more connected and engaging experience, staff have more time to make them feel valued and appreciated and the charity is better equipped to recruit and onboard a growing number of volunteers who make our lifesaving work possible.
GWAAC volunteers at the Great Bristol Run
Good luck to all!
GWAAC would like to wish all those who have been shortlisted for an award the very best of luck. You are all amazing!
