Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023, day one: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) can mean the difference between life or death for someone in a critical condition.
When every second counts, the team provides specialist emergency care at the scene for people with a life-threatening illness or injury.
GWAAC is part of the regional 999 emergency response service, working to save lives across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset and Gloucestershire. But the work is entirely reliant on donations to keep running.
is needed now More than ever
The GWAAC team was called to help 1,808 people in urgent need in 2022 and has completed 1808 rescue missions already in 2023. This is an average of five patients saved every day.
Speaking about the work of the charity, GWAAC’s Claire Harris says: “GWAAC provides emergency care to people who are in a state so critical that they require the specialist skills of the team at the scene of the accident or medical incident.
“Although GWAAC is part of the regional 999 response service and works closely with NHS hospitals, it is a charity entirely funded by local people just like you.
“It looks like 2023 might be the charity’s busiest year yet. Without you, they couldn’t do it. It’s your support that keeps the air ambulance and critical care service operational and saving lives.”

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity is reliant on donations to keep the service running
All photos: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Read next:
- Cafe ‘with a difference’ opens in Fishponds
- Restaurants join forces to support local charities helping homeless
- Bristol artists featured on compilation for Palestinian charities
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: