Terry Donnelly received the award for a photograph showing an air ambulance crew in flight over Great Western Hospital. The image was taken in 2021 as part of a project highlighting the funding pressures faced by air ambulance services.
The photograph captures the intensity and precision of an emergency mission. It was commissioned to raise awareness of the fact that air ambulance charities rely on public donations to continue operating.
Donnelly was the only photographer in the United Kingdom granted access to an air ambulance during the COVID-19 pandemic. He documented crews as they adapted to new safety protocols while responding to incidents under extreme pressure.
The assignment involved several days embedded with the team. Donnelly photographed both operational flights and quieter moments behind the scenes.
His approach allowed him to work alongside pilots and medics without interfering with their duties. The images have since been described in the press as cinematic, showing crews in full protective equipment during night-time and urgent missions.
The award adds to a long list of achievements for Donnelly. He is a Sony Europe Imaging Ambassador, holds multiple photographic fellowships and has a master’s degree in photography.
His work has been exhibited in more than 25 countries. He has also received several photographer of the year awards across genres including sport, press, environmental portraiture and documentary.
Beyond artistic recognition, the air ambulance project helped draw attention to the financial challenges faced by the service. Air ambulance charities are self-funded and depend on ongoing fundraising to support lifesaving work.
Photographs from the COVID-19 project are now held in the national archive. They form part of the historical record of emergency healthcare during the pandemic.
By embedding himself within the crew, Donnelly has documented a critical period for emergency medicine. His work has also shone a light on the dedication and professionalism of air ambulance teams operating across the UK.
