Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has been shortlisted for five prestigious awards in this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence. The national awards, hosted by Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) on December 3, 2025 at Telford International Centre, aim to recognize and celebrate the critical care skills and dedication of those working within the air ambulance community.
GWAAC is proud to have five shortlisted nominees, who have made significant contributions to the charity’s mission of providing lifesaving care to people in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire.
Among the nominees is GWAAC’s Access to PHEM (Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine) program, led by Trainee Critical Care Doctors, which supports hospital doctors transitioning into pre-hospital medicine and focuses on improving access for underrepresented groups.
Young fundraiser Sophie Pascoe, who raised £6,000 for GWAAC after the charity’s crew helped her late grandfather in 2024, has been nominated for Young Person of the Year. In the Charity Volunteer of the Year category, Luke Allen’s family and friends have been recognized for raising over £40,000 for GWAAC in honor of Luke’s 30th birthday.
GWAAC’s innovative Junior Hearts program, which teaches lifesaving skills to 10 and 11-year-olds, has been shortlisted for Innovation of the Year. The program, currently in a trial phase, aims to make learning about CPR and AEDs more accessible and engaging for young children.
In the Supplier of the Year category, facilities management company FLT Group has been nominated for their support and dedication to GWAAC over the past three years, providing critical maintenance and assistance with key projects.
Anna Perry, CEO of GWAAC, expressed her excitement about the charity’s five finalists, stating that it speaks volumes about the dedication and hard work of GWAAC’s supporters, crew, and staff.
In addition to the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, GWAAC recently celebrated a national award win for their partner organization, Donate for Defib Weston-super-Mare (WSM). The project was named overall winners in the Community Category of the BBC Make a Difference Awards 2025 for their efforts in raising over £80,000 for public access defibrillators and providing CPR and defib training sessions in the Weston-super-Mare area. GWAAC’s Great Western Hearts defibrillator program has also played a crucial role in the success of this project.
Joe Hughes, Strategic Partnerships Manager at GWAAC, congratulated Donate for Defib WSM on their well-deserved award and commended their dedication to improving survival from cardiac arrest. He stated that their recognition is a testament to the impact they have made in their community.