Last week saw the return of the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, an annual event celebrating the exceptional achievements, commitments and expertise of those within the air ambulance sector.
Here in Cambridgeshire, Magpas Air Ambulance operates out of its base in Alconbury Weald 24/7, and three of the lifesaving charity’s staff members were honoured at the glitzy awards event.
Magpas Air Ambulance’s Community Training and Engagement Lead, Nicola Cooper, took home the Breaking Barriers Award, designed to recognise outstanding work in widening access, inclusion and innovation in training or outreach.
Nicola delivers Magpas Air Ambulance’s popular CPR and defibrillator training programme and has championed equality and accessible lifesaving education since joining the charity in 2021.
Determined to ensure that CPR and defibrillator skills are available to everyone, she has built trusted relationships with underrepresented groups, including women’s groups, refugees and the Cambridge Mosque, and has worked hard to raise greater awareness of the gender disparity in bystander CPR. By adapting and translating training materials and fostering safe spaces for learning, Nicola has trained more than 6,000 people aged 8 to 99 in the past year alone—with 100% reporting they now feel confident to act in a cardiac emergency.
The charity also saw one of its trustees win the Trustee of the Year Award for making an exceptional contribution to Magpas Air Ambulance in the past 18 months.
A long-standing supporter of the charity, Chis previously raised more than £20,000 as Captain of a Cambridgeshire golf club, and has since provided invaluable governance and oversight as a trustee. His expertise has guided major decisions and he is a true advocate for the charity, championing its work at key events and helping to raise money so Magpas Air Ambulance can continue to save lives.
Finally, Magpas Air Ambulance’s Executive Medical Director, Dr Simon Lewis, was the winner of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
The coveted award recognises individuals whose long-term dedication, innovation, leadership and clinical excellence have made a lasting impact, and in Simon's case, that impact resonates nationally.
Dr Simon Lewis has been a guiding force in pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) for more than 20 years. He co-created the first structured PHEM training course, developed the 10 themes that underpin today’s national curriculum, and helped secure GMC recognition for the specialty.
His leadership of the East of England Major Trauma Network transformed trauma care across the region, and his support for clinicians has inspired countless careers. Simon’s legacy is felt not only at Magpas Air Ambulance, but also across the air ambulance sector, and the NHS.
Simon’s influence will continue to make a life-changing difference for generations to come, and the award recognises his lifelong commitment to excellent patient care.
