Three Midlands Air Ambulance Charity volunteers have been recognised at the Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) Annual Community Action Awards for their dedication to supporting local communities and raising vital funds for the charity.
At the awards ceremony, held on Thursday 22nd October at Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Leanne Dublin, from Lower Gornal, was named winner of the Caring Communities Award, which recognises individuals who support the wellbeing of local communities.
Leanne began volunteering with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in February 2026 following the loss of her mother, Dee Nimmo, in November 2025. Three years earlier, Dee suffered a cardiac arrest and was treated by the charity’s critical care team, including critical care paramedic Dan Fletcher, helping to give Leanne and her family three more years with her mum.
Wanting to give back to the charity that meant so much to her family, Leanne quickly became an active member of the volunteer team. Since joining the charity, she has organised fundraising stalls and community talks, attended community events alongside the charity’s fundraising team, and distributed collection tins across her local area. She has also been instrumental in inspiring local fundraising support, including encouraging her son’s football team, Black Country Falcons, to host a Wear It Red fundraising day in February, bringing together multiple teams to raise vital funds for the charity.
Dan Fletcher proudly joined Leanne at the awards ceremony to celebrate her achievement.
Fellow volunteers Ken Parsons, from Tividale, and Gail Lee, from Quarry Bank, were also shortlisted for the Community Champion Award, which celebrates volunteers who help keep communities connected and thriving.
Ken regularly supports the charity at community events with its demonstration pod and champions Midlands Air Ambulance Charity wherever he goes, helping to raise awareness of the charity’s lifesaving service. Gail was recognised for her dedication to the charity’s retail operations, having been a valued volunteer at the former Merry Hill shop and now the charity’s pop-up shop in Halesowen.
Leanne Dublin said: “Winning this award was a huge surprise. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity will always hold a special place in my heart after everything the team did for my mum and our family. Volunteering is my way of giving something back and helping ensure the charity can continue saving lives across our region.”
Kay Starkey, West Midlands Fundraising Executive at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are incredibly proud of Leanne, Ken and Gail on this well deserved recognition. Their commitment and enthusiasm are inspiring. Volunteers play a vital role in helping us raise awareness and funds for our lifesaving service, and we are grateful for everything they do to support the charity and their local communities.”
To find out more about volunteering opportunities with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and how you can support its lifesaving work, visit midlandsairambulance.com/get-involved/volunteering/.
