GREAT WESTERN AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY
Provision of funds to sustain critical care operations for the Great Western Air Ambulance based in Bristol and covering Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, and providing secondary support for the county of Wiltshire.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated a net surplus of £313,015 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with total income of £6,684,057. The trustees note that while a deficit is predicted for 2025, it will not destabilise the charity, and free reserves are expected to remain sufficient to continue operations.
What the accounts disclose
“The largest source of income for the charity was income from our lottery, with gross income of £2,103,948” — page 13
“The target level of reserves is currently £4.6 million.” — page 14
“Dr Matthew Thomas received remuneration of £4,125 (2023: £5,225) for work undertaken for the charity as a Critical Care Doctor during 2024.” — page 40
“Dr Matthew Thomas received remuneration of £4,125 (2023: £5,225) for work undertaken for the charity as a Critical Care Doctor during 2024.” — page 40
“In 2024 GWAAC received funds of £6,655 from AAUK (2023: £38,848).”
“Dr Matthew Thomas received remuneration of £4,125 (2023: £5,225) for work undertaken for the charity as a Critical Care Doctor during 2024.” — page 40
“In 2024 GWAAC received funds of £6,655 from AAUK (2023: £38,848).”
In the news
- Provider profile: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- An insight into the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- Great Western Air Ambulance Charity called to record number of incidents for second year in a row
- How Gloucestershire businesses can support Great Western Air Ambulance Charity in 2026
- Record number of incidents attended to by Great Western Air Ambulance Charity in 2024
- Great Western Air Ambulance Charity – Rhiannon’s Story
- Great Western Air Ambulance Charity opens new shop in Keynsham
- Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023, day one: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Dr Andy Holdstock — Deputy Medical Director
- Dr Andy Lockyer — Medical Director
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (19/12/2023)
- Received assets from another charity (24/03/2023)
- Received assets from another charity (17/08/2021)
- Received assets from another charity (01/10/2018)
Trustees
- Jason Christopher Holtchair
- Christopher James Ware
- David Graham Boden
- Dr Matthew Thomas
- Simon James Davies
- Simon Robin Jaques
- Tonia Lorraine Lovell
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £6.7m | £6.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £5.4m | £5.7m |
| 31/12/2022 | £4.5m | £4.6m |
| 31/12/2021 | £4.0m | £4.1m |
| 31/12/2020 | £4.1m | £3.6m |
Common questions
Is GREAT WESTERN AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity generated a net surplus of £313,015 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with total income of £6,684,057. The trustees note that while a deficit is predicted for 2025, it will not destabilise the charity, and free reserves are expected to remain sufficient to continue operations. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
Who funds GREAT WESTERN AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name GREAT WESTERN AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY as a grant recipient include THE JULIA RAUSING TRUST, COUNTY AIR AMBULANCE TRUST, THE GEOFF & FIONA SQUIRE FOUNDATION, THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED, THE ADINT CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 02/04/2020 | £220k | Great Western Air Ambulance 20-21 |
| UK government | — | £1.0m | LIBOR Air Ambulances 17/18 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION OF NHS CHARITIES | 2 | £951k |
| THE THOMAS J HORNE MEMORIAL TRUST | 2 | £38k |
| THE PENNIES FOUNDATION | 2 | £33k |
| THE CATHERINE COOKSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £2k |
| The Squire Patton Boggs Charitable Trust | 2 | £1k |
| DENISE COATES FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.6m |
| THE JACK BRUNTON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £225k |
| LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 105N FOUNDATION | 1 | £200k |
Charities like this
- SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE FOUNDATION TRUST FUND
- YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE LIMITED
- WILTSHIRE AND BATH AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY
- THE DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY
- UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS BRISTOL & WESTON CHARITY
- MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREAT WESTERN AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY | £6.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE FOUNDATION TRUST FUND | £391k | — | 0 | no_policy | — | no doubt |
| YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE LIMITED | £12.3m | £100,001 - £110,000 | 14 | below | 19.0% | no doubt |
| WILTSHIRE AND BATH AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY | £4.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY | £11.0m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS BRISTOL & WESTON CHARITY | £3.7m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |