Pictured L-R back row: Sam Gordon, Gill Bann, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan, Saoirse Simpson, Laura Simpson, Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising, Air Ambulance NI, Eleanor Pollock Alderman, James Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, John Hodgen.  Pictured L-R front row: Robbie Geary & Matthew McConnell.

Staff from Lagan Valley LeisurePlex have presented a cheque for £607.00 to the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan in aid of his nominated charity the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. The money was raised by the management and staff in memory of a close friend and colleague who was treated by the Air Ambulance last month.

The staff joined forces to raise vital funds for the charity in a range of ways, including knitting little Santa hats for babies attending Baby Bubbles classes while another member of staff opened her home and garden at Christmas for visitors to view her festive decorations.

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is the local charity that provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland, together with partners at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day.

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan said:  “I would like to thank the staff at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex for their kind gesture in memory of their greatly missed colleague and friend.  The money raised will support the work of the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and help provide urgent medical care to all parts of the province.”

The Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley commented, “I would like to express my thanks to the staff who gave up their time and contributed in a variety of creative ways to raise funds for this essential service. The staff have seen first-hand the work of the Air Ambulance and it is fitting to make this donation today in memory of their esteemed colleague”.