The charity, Air Ambulance NI, which attends to patients, including farm accident victims, who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency pre-hospital care directly to the casualty with the aim of saving lives, brains and limbs, is seeking to grow its volunteer network.
Air Ambulance NI works in partnership with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the province.
Each day, Air Ambulance NI needs to raise £6,850, equating to £2.5 million a year to keep the medical team in the air.
Since the HEMS began in July 2017, the team have been tasked to over 3,718 incidents.
The medical team are tasked, on average, twice per day to provide urgent, pre-hospital care to critically ill and injured patients.
As a charity, Air Ambulance NI relies on the support of generous local people who are willing to give their time to help save lives brains and limbs.
At events such as bucket collections, country fairs and tractor runs, the charity team is supported by people from all walks of life who have time to give – whether on a one-off or more regular basis.
Serious road traffic collision
Ultimately, its volunteer team are contributing to supporting patients including Tom Hadden from Dungannon, who had a serious road traffic collision.
Tom is “forever grateful” to the air ambulance medical team who came to his aid and all who helped him at that time.
He had multiple surgeries to his leg and a long recovery, but his leg was saved.
Tom has become a passionate advocate of the air ambulance following his experience, getting involved in fundraising and by becoming a volunteer.
Tom said of his experience, “I will always remember what the air ambulance team did for me that day.”
“Volunteering is rewarding, as I know that the time I give helps ensure the service is there for the next patient.”
The charity is encouraging the public to find out more at two volunteer information sessions on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, in the Silverbirch Hotel Omagh and on Thursday, October 12th, 2023, in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown.
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland has a busy ongoing programme of fundraising events throughout the year and is looking for the public’s support.
In a statement to www.thatsfarming.com, a spokesperson for the charity said:
“We would like to invite anyone who is interested in finding out more about the work of Air Ambulance NI, and how they might help, to join us in Omagh or Cookstown.”
“Some of our volunteers help once or twice a year, others a few hours weekly.”
“Already this year, volunteers have given almost 1,200 hours of support,” said Janice Crowe, Volunteer Coordinator for the charity.
The charity received Investors in Volunteers in 2021.
She added: “New volunteers will join our network of over 150 volunteers so it’s an opportunity to meet new people and have new experiences.”
“All volunteers have an induction and are supported in their volunteering. It is not just the medical team who save lives, our volunteers play their part too.”
The charity is particularly keen to recruit new volunteers in the Tyrone area.
The volunteering information evenings will take place in:
- Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh on Tuesday, October 10th at 7 pm;
- Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown on Thursday, October 12th at 7pm.
Those planning to attend can register online via Eventbrite at – Air Ambulance NI Information Evenings, Co. Tyrone | Eventbrite.
Alternatively, you can call the AANI office on 028 9262 2677 for more information.
