Meet the team
Departments
President & Vice President Team Members
Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho OBE
Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho OBE was appointed as the first President of Cornwall Air Ambulance in 2017, he is also the current Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall.
Born in Penzance, Colonel Bolitho joined the army after attending university. He served with the Grenadier Guards for 20 years before returning to Cornwall in 1998. Married to Alexandra, he has twin daughters and a son.
Since leaving the army, Colonel Bolitho has had responsibility for running family businesses, mainly based in West Cornwall. These businesses include farming, property rental, building renovation & conversion and management of leisure activities. He is also heavily involved in many other voluntary and business organisations.
Barbara Sharples
Barbara had served as a trustee since 2017 and was Chair of the New Heli appeal board which raised a staggering £2.9 million towards the cost of its latest AW169 life saving helicopter. Barbara was also a founder and member of the London committee, engaging supporters outside of the county with connections to Cornwall. She also founded the ambassador programme, introducing celebrity ambassadors Richard & Judy alongside other high profile ambassadors who have helped to gain additional exposure and awareness of Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust. Barbara has been appointed as Vice President for the charity, alongside her role on the charity’s Philanthropy Forum, which she founded and which comprises high profile fundraisers who generate around £400,000 each year for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.
Dr Ed Abrahamson
Dr Ed Abrahamson works as a Consultant Paediatrician in London, and was a Consultant at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, where he led and developed the fledgling Paediatric Emergency Department into one of the busiest such units in London, and worked there for 27 years, until June 2020. He runs a busy private general paediatric practice at London’s Cromwell Hospital.
Throughout his long career in medicine, Dr Ed has been appointed to a variety of management positions including Director of Paediatrics and Clinical Director for Women and Children’s Services. He has written two books and published numerous academic papers. His work was recognised by the NHS when he was awarded a level 9 clinical excellence award in 2007, which he has maintained since.
Dr Ed has always held a specialist interest in emergency medicine, which brought him to support Cornwall Air Ambulance. Since joining the charity he has raised over £50,000 towards the New Heli Appeal. Born in Dublin, Dr Ed now calls Cornwall home. He lives in St Ives with his Cornish husband. He adores animals, and is doggie uncle to two Jack Russells who he looks after every weekend. He is also a large supporter of The Wave Project.