Swimming lengths for GWAAC
August 4, 2025
A typical week of call-outs
August 20, 2025
As part of our ongoing efforts to provide the best possible critical care and air ambulance service to anyone who needs us in our region, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has been delighted to welcome MPs to our airbase.
It’s a chance to share the impact our service has on local lives, to build on the MP’s knowledge of what it takes to keep an air ambulance operational, and to stress the importance of ensuring we can be here for future generations.
Matt Bishop MP for the Forest of Dean
On Monday 28 July 2025 we welcomed Matt and Amy Lancaster, his Chief of Staff, to our airbase in Almondsbury for a tour, to meet our teams, and to discuss some key topics and our current priorities.
Key topics
CEO Anna Perry highlighted the need for capital investment in the airbase to make it fit for purpose - now and in the future, so we can raise funds and deliver our lifesaving service to evermore people. Anna spoke about the need for dedicated capital funding, similar to the money recently received by hospices, for this capital spend. Secondly, they spoke about the importance of enhancing public awareness in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas because GWAAC is reliant on the generosity of local communities to keep our service operational. All of which is so important because of the upward trend in the number of people our crew get called to help each year. 2024 was our busiest year on record for call-outs to Gloucestershire, with 621 people needing the skills of our specialist team (27% of GWAAC’s total call-outs). And in the first six months of 2025, our crew rushed to help an average of three people every week in the Forest of Dean; incidents ranged from car and bicycle accidents, farming or equestrian incidents through to cardiac arrests and other medical emergencies.
"It’s important that we have GWAAC’s service as they can reach anyone across the region within 20 minutes—which matters a lot when every second counts, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas, which we have lots of. I encourage everyone to support them if they can. The Specialist Paramedics, doctors, staff and volunteers deserve our continued support.”
Matt has been a keen supporter of GWAAC for a long time due to his involvement in the Forest of Dean District Council and Cinderford Town Council, prior to his election in 2024. Previous experience in the Police Force means Matt is very aware of the importance of the emergency services to his constituents and to our whole community.
We very much enjoyed showing Matt and Amy around our airbase and chatting about our current priorities. Anna said, “It was a pleasure to welcome Matt and Amy, and talk about how GWAAC supports communities across our region.
We’re grateful for Matt’s continued support, especially in helping more people understand the vast area we serve and the challenges we face in keeping the service going.”
Matt Bishop (centre) poses with Pilot Rich MacLaughlin and CEO Anna Perry
Helimed 65 pictured in Coalway, Forest of Dean
