Double Win For Charity At Air Ambulance Awards Of Excellence!
Thursday, 21 November, 2013
1) L-R: Louise Minchin (Awards Co-Host), Bryan Cullen of Milestone Aviation Group Ltd (Award Sponsor), Janice Flower (Charity Staff Member of the Year) and Dr Phil Hammond (Awards Co-Host)
2) L-R: Louise Minchin (Awards Co-Host), Paul Westaway of Bond Aviation Group (Award Sponsor), Poppy Young (Outstanding Young Person) and Dr Phil Hammond (Awards Co-Host)
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is delighted to announce that both finalists from the Charity were crowned winners at the very first Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence on Monday night!
Poppy Young, one of the Charity’s youngest and most enthusiastic supporters won Outstanding Young Person and Flight for Life Lottery Manager Janice Flower won Charity Staff Member of the Year.
Janice’s award is in recognition of all her hard work and dedication over the past 10 years. Janice came to the Charity as a volunteer in April 2003 and just over a year later she joined the team working full time in the Lottery Department. Since joining, Janice has completed three fundraising treks for the Charity; she has trekked China, Iceland and Italy, personally raising over £7,000!
Speaking of her win, Janice said: “I am thrilled and honoured to win this prestigious award. It has truly been an exciting and interesting journey developing the membership from approximately 17,000 to 106,000 chances during the last few years. I am extremely lucky to work alongside a great team who have been incredibly supportive whilst reaching this fantastic milestone.”
Jane Gurney, CEO of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust,adds: “Janice is a true inspiration, she has motivated her team and been the driving force behind moving the Lottery forward, and smashing the target set by the Board months ahead! Thanks to Janice’s enthusiasm and determination our Lottery is fast becoming one of the most successful Air Ambulance lotteries in the country. With a bright and bubbly personality Janice cheers up any room and is a much valued member of the team and is thoroughly deserving of this award.”
Poppy, 13 from Welwyn Garden City has actively supported the Charity for over two years now getting involved in numerous fundraising activities as well as writing to various celebrities and VIP’s including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles, David Cameron MP, Boris Johnson and Lord Alan Sugar to gain support for the Charity. Plus to top it off has recently published her own children’s books about a life-saving rescue helicopter called ‘Heli’ raising both funds and awareness of Herts Air Ambulance.
Poppy said: “I like making a difference and informing people about my local Air Ambulance and what it does. When I help the Herts Air Ambulance I feel proud and very happy that I have helped a worthwhile cause. I used to be shy and reserved but all this has made me more confident, outgoing and determined to succeed. I will continue to do everything I can to help raise money for the Herts Air Ambulance and I don’t think that I will ever stop raising money for them. This is only just the start.”
This is the first year the awards have been held and were hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin with GP and noted comedian Dr Phil Hammond on hand to present each winner with their award in front of an enthusiastic gathering.
Chairman of the Judging Panel, Guy Opperman MP, said: “It was a wonderful night with each and every one of our air ambulance recipients striving to set the highest possible standards of excellence in the sector. It has been an honour to be involved with such an inspirational group of people.”
