The air ambulance medical team is called upon twice a day and the charity is now calling on the public to help save lives.
The charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland.
The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day.
The HEMS team attend patients who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency pre-hospital care direct to the casualty with the aim of saving lives, brains and limbs.
The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.
Air Ambulance NI has organised three events for the remainder of 2023, including:
- A skydive on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, at Skydive Ireland in Garvagh which costs £99 to register;
- Dragon Boat Race in Belfast on Friday, September 15th, which is sponsored by Forestside;
- A Christmas-themed abseil down Belfast Castle on December 10th.
The Dragon Boat Race is an opportunity to get up to 20 family, friends, or work colleagues together for the day, competing with other teams and enjoying the BBQ and music from a DJ.
For those doing the skydive you will be part of a team of 30 people and its charity representative will be there to encourage you for your leap at 15,000.
The abseil is such a feel-good event for Christmas; 40 people will don their Christmas hats or full elf suits for this one.
Aim to raise £2.5m in 2023
Kerry Anderson, head of fundraising said: “This year, our charity aspires to raise £2.5m to sustain the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and during that time, it is expected the medics will be called approximately 700 times.”
“Every call needs the support of the public in fundraising. Perhaps an extreme challenge like the abseil or skydive is on your bucket list or you may prefer rowing up the river lagan in a dragon boat.”
“None of us know what the day ahead holds and on average for two individuals, they will need the help of the air ambulance service.”
“It could be a serious road traffic collision, farm accident, medical emergency, or sports incident, whatever the incident the medical team can be at the patient’s side in minutes. Please support your air ambulance this year.”
For more information and to sign up now for any of the events being organised, go to www.airambulanceni.org
