East Anglian Air Ambulance are finalists at Pride of Britain Awards

The charity has flown 30,000 lifesaving missions since its launch in 2000

Patient Jonathan Willis with the crew that helped save his life
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 18th Oct 2022

The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year's Pride of Britain Awards, in recognition of its lifesaving work across the region.

Critical Care Paramedic Andy Bates and Doctors Nathan Howes and James Hale have been nominated to represent the charity at the awards ceremony, with the winners due to be announced on ITV's This Morning.

The crew are being recognised for saving the life of 42 year old Jonathan Willis, who almost died after being impaled by a forklift at his farm in Wisbech.

The EAAA worked with the ambulance, police and fire crews to free Jonathan, before taking him to hospital in Cambridge.

Matthew Jones, East Anglian Air Ambulance CEO said: “We are delighted to be a finalist in the Pride of Britain Awards."

"This recognition continues to highlight the importance of air ambulances within the emergency services sector.

"For Jonathan in particular, the multi-organisational working between the emergency services and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge ensured he had a chance of survival."

"Being a charity, we need to raise £17m every year to develop and deliver our service. We rely almost entirely on public donations, and it is only thanks to our supporters that we can be there for people in life-threatening situations.”

EAAA is the only helicopter emergency service in the East of England that flies 24/7 365 days a year.

It has flown 30,000 lifesaving missions since its launch in 2000.

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