From fundraising and community events to raising awareness about our charity in towns and villages across Dorset and Somerset, our volunteers give their time in countless ways. This Volunteers’ Week, we celebrate some of those who have supported us for more than 20 years.

Volunteers keep us flying

For more than 25 years, volunteers have been at the heart of DSAA, with more than 100 people contributing a combined 10,000 hours each year to help our crew reach those who need us most.

The gift of time

In 2025, we launched our Long Service Awards to recognise the individuals whose dedication has helped build the charity to where we are today. As we share the stories of some of our longest-serving volunteers, we celebrate the people whose generous ‘gift of time’ continues to make a life-saving difference.

Susan and Terry Dredge

When Susan and Terry Dredge moved to Dorset from Berkshire in 2002, they quickly became a DSAA volunteer dream team; a commitment that has now lasted more than 20 years. Susan reflects on this with pride: “We’ve always been a team,” she says. “It’s such a vital service, a vital charity. I can’t imagine life without air ambulances.”

Over the years, the two, as a pair, have represented the charity at countless events, meeting families whose lives have been touched by our service – sometimes positively, other times tragically. Susan recalls the stories that stayed with her long after hearing them. One inspiring encounter involved a woodsman who lost his arm in an accident deep in a forest and was attended by our crew, saving his life. Another poignant moment came when speaking with parents who had lost their son but still wanted to thank the team who tried save him. “Those moments are incredibly moving,” she says. “It makes you proud to be there on behalf of DSAA."

Now aged 77, with Terry 82, Susan says volunteering continues to give them purpose.

Barabara Wilson

Barbara Wilson’s 20 years of volunteering are a true example of community spirit. Her journey began after spotting a volunteer advert in her local butcher’s window, just weeks after an incident in her community highlighted how vital DSAA’s service can be. In that moment, Barbara recalls saying, “we ought to do something,” and so began two decades of dedicated support.

Barbara helped write the early chapters of community fundraising across Exmoor, placing the first DSAA collection tins in local villages. Alongside her late husband, Terry, she attended the very first Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge, organised a cream tea fundraiser, and, after Terry’s leg was amputated, took on a Marathon in a Month Challenge, raising thousands of pounds for DSAA.

Today, Barbara continues to give her time, meticulously cleaning and relabelling tins. “People choose the tin that looks cared for,” she says. “And I think that matters.” For her, it is the small details that have the power to make a big difference.

Volunteering, Barbara says, is about more than fundraising.

As passionate as ever about our mission, Karen says:

‘To anyone thinking of joining as a volunteer, you will be made to feel part of the charity and have great opportunities to meet people, attend event, and promote an amazing emergency service that so many people have had experience of, or know someone who has needed it's help’.

Thank you

Thank you to all those who choose to donate their time to DSAA, your commitment helps save lives every day.