7 Dec 2018
London’s Air Ambulance has received a ‘Life Saver’ award from Word 4 Weapons, recognising the work the charity does responding to and treating casualties of gun and knife crime in the Capital.
So far this year (1 January to 30 September), we have treated 1,303 patients, of these 328 were either stabbed or shot.
Word 4 Weapons, the UK’s first weapons exchange programme run by the Ascension Trust, has awarded London’s Air Ambulance a special ‘Gold Key’ Community Award, presented by the scheme’s founder, Michael Smith. He set up the programme in 2007 in response to the rising levels of knife, gun and gang crime.
On presenting the award Word 4 Weapons founder Michael Smith said: “I would like to present London’s Air Ambulance with this special award in recognition of the incredible role it plays in the community. Its accomplishments in life saving and courageous spirit is an inspiration to all”.
Advanced trauma paramedic, David Porter and Chief Operating Officer, Charles Newitt, collected the award at the Word 4 Weapons Awards Ceremony, an occasion designed to highlight the contribution of individuals and organisations committed to improving the safety of their communities.
David and other members of the London’s Air Ambulance trauma team have been engaging youth audiences in schools across London on the topic on knife crime to educate about the harm caused by knives and recalling their experiences of treating such injuries.
Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “Nearly a quarter of the patients we treat have been stabbed or shot. I am very proud that London’s Air Ambulance has received this award and of the individuals within our team that have given up their time to share their experiences for the education of others.
“Knife and gun crime is a risk to us all, including the London’s Air Ambulance team who often have to carry out their life saving work in tense and hostile environments. Reducing the number of weapons on our streets benefits everyone’s safety.”