Air ambulance trustee reaches end of term

The longest-standing trustee of The Air Ambulance Service, John Williams, has stepped down from his role after more than 13 years with the charity.

John, who lives near East Midlands Airport, served as chairman of the board for nine years and has overseen substantial growth and development of the charity. He will continue to play an active role as a director of the trading board.

During John’s time as a volunteer with the charity, it has grown from a single aircraft to a network of four helicopters and two cars while ensuring the organisation is able to provide lifesaving, critical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Commenting on the announcement, John said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as a voluntary trustee of TAAS for 13 years including nine as the chair of the trustees.

“I originally got involved because I was attracted to an organisation that was people-focussed either as patients or as staff members and volunteers supporting the operation in so many ways.

“I have marvelled at the clinical expertise provided by our medical personnel and the commitment of all staff and volunteers to achieving the charity’s objectives and the incredible expansion of all our services over the years I have been involved.”

Chairman of the trustee board Chris Faircliffe commented: “On behalf of John’s fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and everyone involved with The Air Ambulance Service, I would like to thank John for his commitment and hard work over his 13 years serving the charity.

“He has successfully overseen significant change across the charity while ensuring our services and our patients have always been our first priority.

“We will be sad to lose John as a trustee but welcome the continued, valuable contribution he will make on the trading board.”

The Air Ambulance Service operates the national Children’s Air Ambulance and the local air ambulance services for Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

The charity’s vision is clear. To ensure children grow into adults, for adults to live longer and for families to stay together, as bereavement through trauma becomes rare.

TAAS is currently recruiting for new trustee board members.