It's been a month of celebrations for Magpas Air Ambulance as the Cambridgeshire-based charity's fundraisers and volunteers have received multiple awards and accolades this summer.
Two of Magpas Air Ambulance's volunteers were recognised at the Hunts Forum Volunteer Awards which took place on 16th July. James Harding, who has consistently gone above and beyond to help the charity's fundraising team at community events, won the silver award in his category of 'Volunteer of the Year'. As well as learning to drive the charity van so he can set up, run and dismantle event stands completely independently, James also regularly represents the charity at events that are further afield or at unsociable hours that a lot of people can't commit to—ensuring Magpas Air Ambulance is visible at as many events as possible, and ultimately raising vital money and awareness.
As well as James' achievement, on the night, 16-year-old Rosie Fox—who has been volunteering with Magpas Air Ambulance since she completed work experience with the charity in March 2023—won the Young Volunteer Award. As well as regularly giving up her time in her school holidays to help out at Magpas Air Ambulance's airbase and headquarters in Alconbury Weald, Rosie has also raised over £900 for the charity at school, and has since got her parents involved as volunteers too. Rosie loves the charity so much, she even stopped by the base on her prom day to show staff members, whom she considers role models, her dress.
Additionally, in the same week Magpas Air Ambulance had a visit from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, as a group of the charity's fundraisers, the Upwood Ukuleles, were announced as finalists in the station's Make a Difference Awards... Live on air!
Since the Upwood Ukuleles started fundraising in 2014, the band that performs in the community—asking for donations in lieu of performance fees—has raised over £70,000 for Magpas Air Ambulance. The band performs at least once a week, and often visits care homes and community groups, spreading joy to the people of Cambridgeshire, as well as helping to save lives. Over the past decade the Upwood Ukuleles have become Magpas Air Ambulance's most successful community fundraisers.
As the band were listening live with the charity's fundraising team to find out if they'd made the cut, they were announced as finalists via a reporter with a megaphone who surprised them outside the Magpas Air Ambulance base on Dotty McCleod's breakfast show. After the initial shock and surprise, the group even performed a little number on air.
Magpas Air Ambulance's Corporate, Community and Events Fundraising Manager, Ruth Beck, said: "It's been fantastic to see some of our wonderful volunteers and fundraisers have their efforts recognised like this. They all regularly go above and beyond to raise awareness and lifesaving funds for this service and we're so grateful for their commitment to our cause.
"We cannot be any prouder of all our fundraisers and volunteers who make positive contributions to this charity every single day. If you're interested in joining the team and volunteering or fundraising for Magpas Air Ambulance too, reach out to us by emailing fundraising@magpas.org.uk or call 01480 371060. We'd love to hear from you."
