Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) is delighted to announce, that it came out as winners in the ‘Charity of the Year’ category at this year’s Somerset Business Awards (SBAs), which were held on Friday 11th March.

This year was the 17th anniversary of the SBAs, which were organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by BBC broadcaster Claire Carter. Nearly 400 people from across Somerset attended the gala evening at the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare, to find out who would be crowned as winners in their award categories.

DSAA is proud to have won the ‘Charity of the Year’ category, after being shortlisted as finalists alongside two other fantastic charities, bibic and St Margaret’s Hospice Care. The award nomination recognises the exemplary work and achievements of DSAA over the past year, which have significantly improved the charity’s overall service delivery, for the benefit of its patients.

Speaking of the charity’s success at the awards, Bill Sivewright, Dorset and Somerset Chief Executive Officer said:

Put quite simply, it has been another extraordinary year for DSAA. We have continued to provide our 19 hour per day critical care service without interruption, however we have also made two significant additions to our service this year, with an enhanced care service in Somerset and the introduction of a helicopter-based paediatric retrieval service.

To be announced as winners in the Charity of the Year category at this year’s SBAs is a remarkable achievement and symbolises the incredible hard work, dedication and professionalism of our whole team, including our army of volunteers. The judges praised the powerful and positive effect that our life-saving service has on so many people’s lives and we are absolutely delighted to be recognised in this way.

Our thanks go to Somerset Chamber of Commerce and all those involved with organising the SBA’s and we would like to congratulate all our fellow finalists who were recognised on the night.

To view pictures captured at the awards ceremony, visit SBA's website.