Magpas Air Ambulance, the lifesaving air ambulance charity based in Cambridgeshire, has won two national awards.  

The service that operates in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and across the East of England 24/7 was recognised in the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2023.

The annual awards celebrate and recognise the dedicated professionals who  contribute their specialist lifesaving skills and commitment to the air ambulance community. 

The two awards the charity won were for ‘innovation of the year’ and the ‘charity staff member of the year’.

Doctor Ali Hieatt’s groundbreaking creation was the winner of the innovation award, as her intricately handmade pregnant uterus model revolutionises training for a perimortem caesarean.  

Ely Standard: The annual awards celebrate and recognise the dedicated professionals who tirelessly contribute their specialist lifesaving skills and unwavering commitment to the air ambulance community. The annual awards celebrate and recognise the dedicated professionals who tirelessly contribute their specialist lifesaving skills and unwavering commitment to the air ambulance community. (Image: Magpas Air Ambulance)

Ali's ingenuity provides colleagues with invaluable confidence, preparing them for real-life emergencies. 

The charity staff member of the year award was won by Magpas Air Ambulance’s Director of Operations, Natalie Church.  

Natalie's journey from a temporary admin role to director of operations over 22 years is inspiring.

Her commitment to the charity's growth and her recent mental health first aider training reflects her exceptional character and compassion. 

Magpas Air Ambulance was also thrilled to see a further three nominees highly commended in their categories: 'critical care practitioner of the year', 'young person of the year' and the 'special incident award'. 

Ely Standard: Magpas Air Ambulance, the lifesaving air ambulance charity based in Cambridgeshire, has won two national awards. Magpas Air Ambulance, the lifesaving air ambulance charity based in Cambridgeshire, has won two national awards. (Image: Magpas Air Ambulance)

CEO of Air Ambulances UK which facilitates the annual awards, Simmy Akhtar, said “Congratulations to our 2023 Awards of Excellence winners and their outstanding contributions.

"Our panel of judges made some tough decisions when choosing the winners and we would like to thank everyone who entered."

Simmy added: "Despite continuously having to face global and national challenges, the air ambulance community throughout the UK has remained determined to provide the highest-level specialised patient care at the scene.

"We extend our immense gratitude to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters within our life-saving community.” 

If you would like to find out more about the award winning lifesaving charity, visit magpas.org.uk.