Midlands Air Ambulance Charity celebrated its annual Saving Lives Charity Ball on Thursday 25th September, honouring inspirational individuals, fundraisers, volunteers, and corporate partners who make its lifesaving missions possible.
The black-tie event, hosted by broadcaster, Ed James, and supported by headline sponsor, EBC Group, raised an impressive £70,000 making 45 lifesaving missions possible, 21 via air ambulance and 24 via critical care car.
Celebrity supporters Annette Badland, Kash “The Flash” Gill and Paul Chuckle, joined hundreds of attendees at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham to recognise this year’s outstanding winners and to help raise vital funds:
• Special Incident Award – Awarded to a specific clinical and operational team who demonstrated exceptional skills and teamwork on a particularly challenging mission.
Sponsored by: Babcock
Winner: Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Crew: Dr James Mercer, Captain John Darlow and Critical Care Paramedics Ian Jones, Rob Davies
• Community Fundraiser Award – Awarded to an individual, group or society that has demonstrated significant support and commitment to raising lifesaving funds.
Sponsored by: Pallet-Track
Winner: Mosaic Boutique
Mosaic Boutique, based in Leek, in Staffordshire, are longstanding supporters of the charity and have run fashion shows in aid of our lifesaving service for a number of years
• Charity Shop Volunteer Award – Awarded to an everyday hero, a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty and dedication to the charity within the charity shops.
Sponsored by: Astute media
Winner: Karen Luckett
Karen has been a true staple at the Gloucester shop since it opened, and is a real asset to the charity getting involved in all aspects of volunteering in the shop as well as local fundraising events.
• Charity Volunteer Award – Awarded to an everyday hero, a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty and dedication to the charity.
Sponsored by: Unity4
Winner: Strensham Blood Volunteers
This team of volunteers give their time to collect blood products from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and return our blood packs back into circulation, so blood can help other patients if not used. They do this this every 24hours which ensures we deliver pre-hospital emergency care to those most in need.
• Corporate Partnership Award: Awarded to an organisation and its employees who have demonstrated hard work, initiative, and commitment through their CSR policy to raise awareness of and vital donations for the charity.
Sponsored by: Airbus
Winner: Pallet-Track
Pallet-Track, based in Wolverhampton, has been supporting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity since 2023 when its team voted us to be their charity of the year. Since then, the partnership extended and grown, and the team organise a host of events including their annual golf day and a Gala Ball, which raise vital funds for the charity, which currently sits at over £60,000.
• Inspiration Award: Awarded to a group, organisation or individual connected to the charity who is a source of inspiration and pride.
Sponsored by: EBC Group
Winner: Lisa Challinor
Lisa, from Oswestry in Shropshire, was struck by a car travelling at speed on the wrong side of the road moments before heading out for a run. She sustained a catastrophic injury resulting in an above-knee amputation and a significant loss if blood. Lisa’s determination to recover and return to the outdoors has been nothing short of inspirational. In early 2025, she was fitted with a running blade and is now focused on her goal of completing the London Marathon in the near future. Her strength and perseverance embody the spirit of inspiration.
The evening was a blend of celebration and fundraising, featuring auctions, raffles, and many generous donations. Guests also had the opportunity to hear moving patient stories and meet members of the charity’s critical care team.
Jo Bailey, group events lead for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “”We’re continually inspired by the courage and determination shown by our winners. The Saving Lives Charity Ball always brings an unforgettable atmosphere, and this year was no exception.
It was a powerful reminder of just how deeply our communities stand with us, from volunteer stories to fundraising champions, it’s a celebration of everyone who makes our lifesaving missions possible, and we are immensely proud of all our deserving winners.”
For more information on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and how to support its lifesaving work, visit midlandsairambulance.com or follow the organisation on social media.