A family from Northern Ireland has been able to raise an impressive amount of over £300,000 in just six years for the Air Ambulance charity. This incredible feat was accomplished after the Air Ambulance played a crucial role in saving their son’s life following a serious motorcycle accident. The Osborne family, hailing from Ballymoney, established the Simon Osborne Air Ambulance Appeal back in 2019 with the aim of gathering essential funds for the charity.
The family’s son, Simon, was assisted by the Air Ambulance team after he was involved in a severe motorcycle collision. His father, Tony Osborne, expressed deep gratitude towards the Air Ambulance NI team, acknowledging that their son would not be alive today without their prompt intervention. He emphasized the importance of public donations for the charity to continue its lifesaving operations, revealing that nearly £7,000 is required each day to sustain the service.
Throughout the past six years, the Osborne family has organized various campaigns and events to raise funds for the Air Ambulance, including The Armoy Road Races, Shane’s Castle Steam Rally, and Ballymoney Spring Fair. Their most recent successful event, an Abba Tribute Night at Kelly’s Complex Portrush, showcased their innovative approach in engaging the community to support the cause.
Katrina Hughes, the Area Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI, commended the Osborne family for their unwavering dedication and commitment to supporting the charity, especially during challenging times. She highlighted the remarkable achievement of raising over £300,000 since 2019, which has funded over 6 weeks of the service. Hughes expressed gratitude towards The Simon Osborne Appeal team for their exceptional contribution in supporting the lifesaving HEMS service.
Air Ambulance NI, in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides critical medical assistance to severely ill or injured patients through the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The service operates seven days a week for 12 hours each day, with the ability to reach any location in Northern Ireland within approximately twenty-five minutes. The doctor and paramedic team are dispatched twice a day on average to respond to serious incidents such as road traffic collisions, workplace accidents, and medical emergencies.
It is essential for Air Ambulance NI to raise £2.5 million annually to sustain its operations. The charity encourages the public to support the cause by joining Club AANI, which involves making a monthly donation to provide stability for the service. In return, donors receive a gold pin badge, regular updates, and an invitation to an annual gathering. To learn more about how you can support Air Ambulance NI, visit their website at www.airambulanceni.org.
By contributing to this lifesaving initiative, you can become a valuable member of the team dedicated to saving lives in Northern Ireland. Join the cause today and make a difference in your community.
