Operational Lead for AANI, Glenn O’Rorke; The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan and Head of Fundraising for AANI, Kerry Anderson

This year, the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan, is set to raise much needed funds for his chosen charity - Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI).

Established in 2017, the charity provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for the whole of Northern Ireland, in partnership with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. From its base in Lisburn, the service can reach any location in NI within 25 minutes to deliver critical medical care in emergency situations.

This rapid response service is vital in delivering critical pre-hospital care at the scene of major trauma resulting from a range of incidents including road traffic collision, agricultural accidents, falls, sporting, domestic and workplace incidents.

The air ambulance is crewed with a pilot, a paramedic and a doctor. The service is in use on average once every day and has been tasked on over 800 occasions to date. To continue to operate, the service requires £2 million a year (or £5,500 a day), which must be raised through donations.

Speaking about why he chose AANI as his charity for his 2019 – 2020 term, the Mayor explained: “I’m delighted to support such a vital service and proud that it is based in our council area. It’s wonderful to think that it is reaching out to all parts of the province to provide urgent medical care to anyone who desperately needs it.

“I would ask people to participate in the many fundraising events that I will be hosting this year, in aid of the charity, and urge everyone to give generously and support this cause.”

Head of Fundraising for the charity, Kerry Anderson, said: “Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is delighted to have been chosen as the Mayor’s charity for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council this year. The fundraising support is crucial to keep the helicopter in the air and the medical team providing potentially life-saving care.”

The Mayor’s Office will be organising and hosting a wide range of fundraising events for AANI and urges local residents and businesses to support the charity for any fundraising activity being organised in the local community. You can also support the charity by joining Club AANI, an exclusive members club, for a weekly donation of £2.

To find out more about the charity, how to join Club AANI or for other ways you can support AANI go to www.airambulanceni.org or call 028 9262 2677.