'I am deeply honoured' - Walsall charity chairman awarded MBE for supporting 'critical' hospital helipads

Michael Henriques, chairman of the County Air Ambulance Trust HELP Appeal received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to charitable service.

He has served as chairman since 2018 after bringing with him more than two decades of senior leadership experience, including 22 years as deputy chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse.

Founded in 2009, and based in Walsall, the HELP Appeal was established to address a vital but often overlooked gap in emergency care- the lack of hospital helipads at NHS hospitals.

 While the UK has dedicated air ambulance crews and hospital teams working tirelessly to save lives, too many critically ill patients have historically faced dangerous delays because helicopters were unable to land close to emergency departments.

 Since his appointment, Mr Henriques has played a pivotal role in accelerating the charity’s growth and impact, It has supported more than 33,000 helicopter landings at 57 HELP Appeal funded helipads across the country, funded air ambulance bases across the country and over 40 critical care cars. 

A further 40 new hospital helipads and upgrades are currently planned, extending the charity’s lifesaving reach even further.

Mr Henrique said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this MBE. This award shines a spotlight on the critical importance of hospital helipads. 

"We have the air ambulances and the hospitals, but without helipads beside Emergency Departments, precious minutes can be lost. Those minutes can mean the difference between life and death. 

"Thanks to the public’s generosity, the assistance of a wonderfully proactive chief executive, Robert Bertram and an efficient board of Trustees, we have made enormous progress, but there is still much more to do.”

 For further information about the HELP Appeal, please visit: www.helpappeal.org.uk