A COMMITTED networker has been honoured for more than 20 years’ service to London’s Air Ambulance with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Christine Margetts, of Althorne, was recognised by judges for the far reaching and long standing impact she has made to London's Air Ambulance at the Association of Air Ambulances’ Awards of Excellence in November.

Christine’s work with the charity began in 1997 where she worked closely with their first CEO Andrew Cameron to set up a fundraising programme and network from scratch.

Over the years this grew steadily and now a very significant part of the charity's annual revenue of more than £10 million can trace its origins back to Christine's involvement.

Her legacy includes not only creating a widespread network of supporters and volunteers to make collections in the community but also launching and expanding the lottery and establishing a very successful Christmas raffle, annual golf days, abseiling and other fundraising events.

Christine was presented with her award by TV presenters Rav Wilding and Sophie Long in front of an audience including London's Air Ambulance's Chairman Mark Vickers, CEO Jonathan Jenkins and Medical Director Dr Gareth Davies, as well as peers from across the air ambulance community.

At the ceremony, held in Central London, Mark Vickers said: "This could not have gone to a more deserving individual.

“Over the last 20 years Christine has given her all to London's Air Ambulance, not only helping to secure the future of the service by introducing our first fundraising efforts and then expanding them, but also helping to inspire other air ambulances in their own fundraising.

“Christine is a prime example of how one individual can have such a massive impact and without her dogged determination regularly to contact people and organisations, the fundraising efforts of the Charity would not have the momentum we have today.

“Her dedication, passion, commitment and belief in our work has been in many ways as critical as the actions the doctors and paramedics take every day on the streets of London."