Air Pulse Legacy Memorial Revealed

After a year in the planning, a bespoke sculpture to commemorate 25 years of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been launched at Roadchef’s Norton Canes Services on the M6toll.

Designed and created by acclaimed sculptor, Richard Thornton, the ‘Air Pulse’ memorial stands at over 6m tall and sits proudly on top of a prominent hillside at the Norton Canes site. Weighing over one metric tonne, the monument honours the lifesaving work of the aircrew, and the dedication and loyalty of the charity’s supporters.

Sculpture, Richard Thornton, said: “It was a pleasure to be involved with this unique project to celebrate the work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.  I have tried to produce a simple yet dynamic sculpture that is easily recognisable and strongly identifies with the service. I hope it intrigues and brings enjoyment to those who see it.”

Marking Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Air25 25th anniversary, Air Pulse was unveiled on Wednesday 1st March at a ceremony with aircrew, trustees and guests from the charity’s Air25 partner, Midland Expressway operators of the M6toll, Roadchef, and the charity’s ambassadors England rugby legend Neil Back MBE and Paralympian Mickey Bushell MBE.

At the event, Hanna Sebright, chief executive for the organisation, made a heartwarming speech about the history of the vitally important lifesaving organisation, and how Air Pulse will stand as a poignant legacy for decades to come.

James Hodson, director of motorway operations and facilities at Midland Expressway Ltd added: “This is both a fitting and individual sculpture which serves as both a symbol and reminder of the work and need for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. We are very proud of our long association with the charity and were delighted to help site the sculpture on the M6toll, where it will be seen by thousands of people on a daily basis.”

Mike Heaton, commercial director at Roadchef, commented: “We are honoured to be able to provide a home for this monument, recognising the fantastic work the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has undertaken over the last 25 years. We support the entire UK air ambulance association as our official charity partners for 2017 and while we can never thank them enough for their service to our region, we can pay homage to the Midlands service for its achievements at Norton Canes and are pleased to be able to extend that opportunity to our customers. Thank you once again and here’s to the next 25!”

The installation of Air Pulse was project managed by award winning architects, Poole Phillips, with support from Hardy Signs.

At the base of the monument is a circular paved surround created from 3,000 dedication bricks. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is inviting the public to create a lasting remembrance of a loved one with a dedication brick.

Over the next three years the dedication bricks will complete the surround of the Air Pulse memorial and will raise £150,000 towards the charity’s vitally important pre-hospital work. Dedication messages will be placed on a high quality Staffordshire Blue bricks and engraved in gold coloured text with a personalised message that will remain in place for ten years.

If you wish to place an order for a dedication brick, please visit the this page or for more information about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity please call the team on 0800 8 40 20 40.