Air Ambulance up for award

Wales Air Ambulance, which is based in Welshpool, has been shortlisted for the Charity Awards 2017, for its work in bringing advanced medical care quickly to people in need.

The Charity Awards is the charity world’s longest-running, biggest and best-known awards ceremony. This year’s charities have been judged by an independent panel of charity leaders as having demonstrated outstanding best practice which other organisations can learn from.

Wales Air Ambulance is shortlisted in the Healthcare and Medical Research category and is the only charity dedicated to Wales to have made it through to the final round.

In 2015, Wales Air Ambulance launched a Flying Medics programme in partnership with NHS Wales to secure consultants and critical care practitioners on board its aircraft. The project resulted in pioneering and advanced medical treatments being used on missions, bringing the hospital to the patient. This included 150 emergency anaesthetics and 47 blood transfusions in its first year.

The 10 category winners, plus the recipients of the Overall Award for Excellence and the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement, will be announced at a black tie dinner on June 8, held in the grounds of the Tower of London.

The evening will be hosted by BBC presenter Louise Minchin, who will be joined by representatives of the shortlisted charities, as well as leaders from Britain’s best known and best loved charities.

Wales Air Ambulance chief executive Angela Hughes said: “We’re honoured to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. It is a testament to our hardworking teams and dedicated supporters who continue to fundraise, volunteer and play our Lifesaving Lottery.

“We rely on charitable donations to raise £6.5 million every year and it is through this support we are able to fly the critical care team to vital missions across Wales.”