TRUSTEES, staff, volunteers and supporters across Devon are celebrating after Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) was named as the PWC West of England Business of the Year with a turnover of less than £30 million, at a gala dinner at Brunel’s Old Station in Bristol last night.

DAAT was the first charity ever to be shortlisted and the first not-for-profit organisation to win the coveted prize which has previously been won by well-known businesses such as Graphic plc, the Gro Company and Seasalt.

Anita Newcombe, DAAT’s Chair of Trustees said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award.

“It is a testimony to the hard work put in by everyone at DAAT and particularly to the Senior Leadership team who have carried out an exemplary programme of development in recent years to improve the service we offer not only in operational terms, but in finance, human resources, PR and marketing, fundraising and retail as well as connecting with the community.”

The award entry described the Trust’s operation in six key business areas - innovative products/services, employee training, business management, financial performance, future prospects and contribution to the region.

DAAT Chief Executive Heléna Holt, said: “This has been such a valuable experience for us.

“After being shortlisted we greatly benefited from the judges’ feedback.

“We were also visited by a professional film company to capture what we do and the footage which was shown on the night of the awards has been made available to us to use for our own marketing purposes.

“This is a great result for DAAT and for the people of Devon whom we serve.”