One of the founders of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has been recognised with a leading national industry award.
Former headmaster Mike Beale from Perthshire has been named “Trustee Of The Year” 2024 in the prestigious Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence.
Mike, who was one of the charity’s founding trustees when the service launched in 2013, was recognised for his years of commitment to the development and growth of Scotland’s only charity-funded air ambulance service.
The citation at this week’s awards dinner in Coventry recognised Mike’s role in galvanising the charity team following the sudden death of founding chairman John Bullough last year.
“As Interim Chair of SCAA, Mike provided strength and compassion during a challenging time, guiding the team through the sudden loss of founding Chairman John Bullough,” said judges. “His leadership ensured that vital fundraising and operations continued seamlessly, all while nurturing the Board’s strategic ambitions.
“A founding Trustee, Mike’s dedication has shaped the charity from its early days, leading sub-committees and preparing the organisation for its next chapter. His legacy will have a lasting impact on pre-hospital emergency care in Scotland.”
Reflecting on his award, Mike said he was particularly humbled as the recognition came from his peers within the air ambulance community.
“I am obviously delighted, particularly as it reflects the contribution of my fellow trustees – past and present – and the huge efforts made by our outstanding staff at SCAA as we look forward, through their efforts, to ensuring that no-one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time.”
Mike, a headmaster for 30 years, takes great pride in his time as Interim Chair at SCAA – a period of sadness, adaptation, reflection, growth and development as the charity builds an enhanced and strengthened Board to take them into the next decade and beyond.
Driving the Board development has been vitally important to Mike.
In September he handed over the reins to new chairman Robbie Brown. Mike's years with SCAA have helped shape one of Scotland’s most successful and respected charities and prepare it for the next stage of its development and evolution.
“SCAA is a living, evolving, ever-improving service of patient care and we should never be afraid to innovate and look to the future,” he said.
“The most important thing for me is that SCAA succeeds – and that everyone is happy.”
