Ian (Nick) Nicholls is appointed Executive Assistant to the Charity Directory of Midlands Air Ambulance

Former paramedic Nick (age 52), as he is fondly known in the ambulance community, is a long serving champion of air ambulance services in the region, having originally been one of the founders of Midlands Air Ambulance (then known as Air5) back in 1991.

It was Nick who championed the need for an air ambulance serving the entire Midlands and Welsh Borders region to provide air ambulance transport to hospital for critically injured patients within the first' Golden Hour' of survival, and Nick who subsequently fought for and fund-raised the Charity's existence when the Regional Health Authority declined to support it.

From a single aircraft on part-time loan in one regional airbase, Nick led the emergence of what is recognised today as one of the largest and busiest air ambulance organisations in the UK.

Since 1991, Midlands Air Ambulance has performed over 30,000 mercy missions, saving countless lives across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and Welsh Borders.

Nick has been forced to take a back seat within the Charity in recent years as the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis (a condition he was first diagnosed with in the late eighties) have become more challenging, but he is still hard at work behind the scenes at the Charity's HQ, in Brierley Hill.

This new role has been specifically created in recognition of his wealth of unique experience, his understanding of the organisation and his close relationships with Volunteers and Donors. In 2002 Nick won the regional 'BBC NHS Hero's Award' not only for the work he undertakes, but for the challenges that he faces each day with his medical condition. As always the Charity will continue to benefit from Nick's dedication, commitment and loyalty.

Charity Director Hanna Sebright said: "I am absolutely delighted that Nick has agreed to take the role of Executive Assistant and to continue providing Midlands Air Ambulance with his invaluable support. He has an unbelievable passion with a terrific sense of humour and is always wearing a smile which is infectious! He is an inspiration to us all and I am quite sure that without him, Midlands Air Ambulance would not be where it is or what it is today." ENDS

Pictured: Ian Nicholls, Executive Assistant at Midlands Air Ambulance.

About Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

• Midlands Air Ambulance serves the largest air ambulance region in the UK. This includes the communities of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire,
Staffordshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire; representing a population in excess of 6 million.

• Since flying its first mission in 1991, the Charity now carries out more than 3500 mercy missions each year making Midlands Air Ambulance one of the longest established and busiest air ambulance operators in the UK.

• In the last 12 months, the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has attended 1048 road traffic accidents on some of the most congested motorway networks in the country, responded to 175 industrial accidents, 432 sporting injuries completed 100 emergency hospital transfers and airlifted 188 children.

• Midlands Air Ambulance operates three air ambulance helicopters at an annual running cost of £6 million. The Charity receives no funding from either government or National Lottery so relies entirely on the support of local people and businesses.

• If a patient reaches hospital within 60 minutes of injury, their chances of survival are dramatically increased. That is why the rapid response of The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is so vital. The maximum flying time to hospital from anywhere in the region is les than 15 minutes.

• The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity operates three helicopter air ambulances at an annual running cost of £5.6 (five million and six hundred thousand pounds)

• The Charity receives no funding from government or National Lottery so relies entirely on the support of local people and businesses.

• For further information visit www.midlandsairambulance.com