1 Jun 2023
To mark 2023’s Volunteers’ Week, we spoke to a few of our dedicated individuals to hear some of their favourite volunteering memories and advice for future volunteers.
Steve Williamson, volunteer since 2018
Steve has been volunteering with us since 2018, taking on various roles including driving, office volunteering and speaking. He has also taken a lead role in helping transform the pots process to make it more efficient.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity?
I would say it’s the comradery within the charity. Volunteering for London’s Air Ambulance Charity in my own time is extremely fulfilling and so enjoyable. There is a real sense of achievement doing this role, I enjoy participating in something worthwhile, that brings value to other people and their lives.
What is your favourite memory of volunteering with us since you started?
When I saw this question, I thought that there were too many to name! Probably jumping off the top of The Royal London Hospital to raise money for the charity as part of the annual helipad abseil. But I also have lots of fond memories of going up to the helipad and meeting the operational teams.
Do you have any interesting facts about the charity that you have discovered since you started volunteering with us?
There is a wellbeing garden up at the helipad on the 17th floor of The Royal London Hospital - not many people would know it's there! It’s quite cool to think there is a garden up there when you look up from the ground!
What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity?
Do it – just DO IT! It's a great sense of achievement and the friendliness within the volunteering team and the wider charity team itself is unparalleled. Even though you're a volunteer, you are accepted as part of the family. I also feel like I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone whilst volunteering for London’s Air Ambulance Charity – for example, I had never done any pot rattling (bucket collecting) before, but once I had done it, I realised how much I enjoyed it. You feel like you are collecting on behalf of something so worthwhile.
Amina Singh, volunteer since 2014
Amina has been volunteering in our shop in The Royal London Hospital since 2014, as well as helping at other events such as the helipad abseil.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity?
Volunteering in the London’s Air Ambulance Charity shop gives me an opportunity to meet patients and staff at the hospital. I am so proud when patients who have had life-saving treatment from London’s Air Ambulance come in and tell me about their journey and recovery. I also enjoy selling the merchandise to raise funds for the charity; feeling like I am really part of the team.
What is your favourite memory of volunteering with us since you started?
My favourite memory is when the shop opened in 2015, selling branded merchandise - before that we had a table that we set up each day in the hospital! Volunteering at the shop has given me the opportunity to meet some interesting and famous people, from West Ham football players to Pearly King and Queens.
Do you have any interesting facts about the charity that you have discovered since you started volunteering with us?
I have learnt so much since being at the charity, especially from the medical/operational side. The charity has organised many events and talks which have informed us about how they treat patients on the roadside, as well as how they land the helicopters in a city as busy and compact as London!
What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity?
Don’t think about it, just do it. London’s Air Ambulance Charity is a great charity to volunteer for, it is so supportive and inclusive. I am so proud to volunteer for a charity that does an amazing job saving people’s lives.
Philip Ma, volunteer since 2021
Philip has been volunteering with us since 2021, primarily as a volunteer photographer. Philip can be found at various events, such as running up and down the side lines of the London Marathon, making sure to get a photo of every single participant.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity?
I've participated for photography in several fundraising events - afterwards, when I’ve processed the photos, it always makes me feel really satisfied when I see so many smiley faces on the photos, no matter where the photos were taken.
Do you have any interesting facts about the charity that you have discovered since you started volunteering with us?
Before being a volunteer photographer for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, I knew that the helicopters are on the top of The Royal London Hospital during the day. What I didn't know was that the pilots must fly the helicopter from RAF Northolt every day, where the helicopters stay overnight. I remember the first time that I took photos at the abseiling event, the helicopter hadn’t arrived yet and so we walked through the deserted helipad. It was quite windy that day and I was worried that I may blow off the roof!
What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering with London’s Air Ambulance Charity?
When I applied to become a volunteer photographer for the charity, it was not just because I wanted to be a volunteer, it was also because London’s Air Ambulance Charity provides lots of different volunteering roles, like helping in the shop, bucket collections, collecting local donation pots and delivering talks to local communities.
Volunteering at London’s Air Ambulance Charity has broadened my mind and we get the chance to chat with the physicians, paramedics and nurses to understand their daily clinical work. This is definitely a unique experience and I strongly urge everyone to join the London’s Air Ambulance Charity volunteering team!
We would like to take this week to thank all of our volunteers, who dedicate their time and efforts throughout the year. If you would like to join our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our volunteering team, or read more about our volunteering opportunities at London's Air Ambulance Charity.