Q&A with Trustee, Ollie Dismore, about his inspiration and motivation to volunteer with DAA
This Trustees’ Week, we are proud to be celebrating the dedicated volunteers who help steer the charity and ensure that we can continue to make a difference in saving lives across Devon.
Trustees play a vital role in shaping the charity’s direction, providing guidance and ensuring that every decision helps to deliver the best possible outcomes for the communities that DAA serve. We asked our Trustee, Ollie, a series of questions to find more about his experience as a Trustee.
What inspired you to become a trustee for Devon Air Ambulance?
Having spent most of my career in aviation—much of it within the emergency services—I’ve always understood just how vital air operations are in a crisis. Devon Air Ambulance brings together technical excellence and a powerful humanitarian purpose, and that combination really struck a chord with me. Becoming a trustee felt like a great way to put my aviation experience to good use and support a service that provides such a vital lifeline for people right across Devon.
How did you first hear about or get involved with the charity?
I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about Devon Air Ambulance. I’ve been involved in aviation in the region since the early days—back when the charity first took flight in 1992. My first real connection was through my work with the police when we shared a base, and later through national committees where Devon Air Ambulance has always played an active role.
My route to becoming a trustee was slightly unconventional. I was at one of those meetings when the then-CEO leaned over and asked, “Have you ever thought about joining us as a trustee?” It wasn’t something I’d considered before—but the more I thought about it, the more it felt like exactly the right thing to do.
What does Devon Air Ambulance’s mission mean to you personally?
For me, it sums up everything that’s great about aviation—using technology, skill, and teamwork to make a tangible difference to people’s lives. It reminds me why I fell in love with aviation in the first place: the precision, the teamwork, the sense of purpose. Devon Air Ambulance captures all of that perfectly. If I were a few years younger, I’d be knocking on their door asking for a flying role myself!
What skills or experiences do you bring to the board?
My background in emergency service aviation operations and management means I can contribute to discussions around fleet strategy, safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance. It’s all about helping ensure that our aviation operations continue to meet the very highest standards while staying financially sustainable.
One of the real pleasures of being a trustee is being a trusted sounding board—someone who can offer practical advice, encouragement, and a bit of constructive challenge to those doing the day-to-day work.
Can you share a moment that made you feel particularly proud to support Devon Air Ambulance?
That’s easy—it happened quite recently at an all-staff away day at Sandy Park. A family came in to share their story about how our crew saved the husband’s life after he suffered a cardiac arrest on a building site. Hearing directly from both him and his wife was incredibly moving. You could have heard a pin drop in the room. It really brought home what a remarkable, joined-up team effort Devon Air Ambulance represents—from the crews to the clinicians to the people who keep everything running behind the scenes.
Why do you think trustees are so important to the success of a charity?
Trustees provide the steady hand that allows the operational teams to shine. In a charity like ours, that means ensuring strong governance, a robust safety culture, and long-term sustainability. We’re there as both custodians and champions—helping to balance compliance with ambition so the organisation can continue to grow and serve the people of Devon.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a trustee?
Do it! If you’ve got skills that could help a charity—especially in a technical or operational area—jump in and get involved. You’ll gain every bit as much as you give. Be curious, be willing to learn, and be open to different perspectives. The mix of experience and energy around the board table is what makes trustee work so fulfilling.
If you could sum up your experience as a trustee in one sentence, what would it be?
An immensely rewarding way to put a lifetime in aviation to work for a cause that saves lives every single day.
