Stewart Ashburner-Mcmanus, is one of our HEMS Paramedics at Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Although originally from Bolton and remains a proud Lancastrian, he has warmly adopted Yorkshire as his home. While his surroundings may have changed, he still retains his distinctive Bolton accent and the firm belief that a bread roll is forever a “barm cake” in his eyes.

Stewart said, “Joining YAA was the logical step towards fulfilling my goal of joining the team and my career ambition of working in critical care and supporting the people of Yorkshire. The allure of flying is also extremely cool.”

He joined the paramedic profession in 2014, at the age of 29. After completing his paramedic training at Sheffield Hallam University, he found his professional home with YAS in 2016, based out of Huddersfield Ambulance station. Stewart’s path also included a secondment as a team leader in West Yorkshire before returning to operational duties, all in pursuit of his dream of joining the HEMS team. Alongside his YAS role, he actively participates in various motorsport events and holds additional qualifications in advanced life support and trauma care.

Stewart’s vision for his role encompasses a commitment to continuous growth. He aims to develop his clinical skills, leveraging the extensive experience of the HEMS team, collaborating closely with the charity, and raising awareness of the remarkable work they do.

Beyond his paramedic duties, Stewart thrives outdoors, firmly believing that there’s no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong clothing. He’s in the midst of converting a small van into a cosy camper to facilitate his exploration of the UK. His interests include enjoying holidays, attending music gigs, taking leisurely walks with his dogs, and embracing the exhilaration of motorbike rides.