Dedicated air ambulance employee wins Achievement Award

A dedicated and hardworking woman from a Midlands-based charity has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s The Woman Who Achieves Awards.

The glittering awards lunch at Coombe Abbey marked the seventh year of The Woman Who Achieves Awards, run by Sandra Garlick MBE. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of exceptional women, highlighting those who have made an outstanding contribution to their business, sector or wider community across the Midlands.

Jo Payne, from Stratford-upon-Avon, received the award at this year’s ceremony for her work with The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS).

TAAS operates the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA), Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) and national Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

The award formed part of a Special Awards category designed to celebrate an individual’s dedication, success and passion within their sector.

Jo began her career as a community fundraiser with the lifesaving charity at its inception in 2002. Jo garnered support from the local communities and businesses, exceeding fundraising targets to keep the vital service saving lives.

Jo’s passion and enthusiasm grew as the charity grew, and she continued to drive the charity forward, generating a lot of much-needed income.

“Everyone loves to do well in their career. However, working in a role from a charity’s inception, where you are constantly up against huge targets simply to fund help for those in life-threatening situations, should be commended,” explained the official awards judges.

After 20 years of service, despite challenging times, Jo now manages the charity’s national partnerships through the charity’s corporate partnerships programme.

Commenting on her well-deserved win, Jo Payne said: “I am genuinely thrilled to have been part of the Woman Who Achieves Awards success’ this year and was so shocked to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I am incredibly thankful to work for such a vital lifesaving service, and that my passion and resilience have been commended by the judges.”