Tesco customers across Northern Ireland have raised over £20,000 for emergency services charity, Air Ambulance NI. 

The Tesco ‘Red Day’ campaign promoted volunteer collections at Tesco stores across Northern Ireland. In its third consecutive year, this has been the initiative’s best one so far – in 2022, the collection raised £13,000. The campaign mobilised 60 Air Ambulance NI volunteers in 34 stores. 

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is a registered charity working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Services and provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland.    

The HEMS team brings emergency pre-hospital care to seriously ill or injured patients in the aim to save lives, brains and limbs. Operating seven days a week, this life-saving service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in Northern Ireland, within 25 minutes. 

Amy Henshaw, Regional Fundraising Coordinator for Air Ambulance NI, said: “Without the efforts and amazing teamwork demonstrated by Tesco staff and Community Champions as well as Air Ambulance volunteers, this amazing total would simply not be possible. Currently, it costs £6850 each day to keep the medical team in the air and this terrific contribution will fund three entire days of our service, helping a potential six people for whom the worst has happened. A special thank you to all the wonderful customers who took the time to donate at your local Tesco and to all the community champions and staff who went above and beyond to make the collection a great success. It’s not only the medical crew who save lives but also the people who support the service.’’ 

Ian Danton, Tesco Enniskillen Store Manager and Community Champion, said: “This is a phenomenal result, our colleagues and customers are consistently hugely generous. Five stores managed to raise over £1,000 in just one day. Air Ambulance NI has a special place in everyone’s heart, and it was wonderful to see Community Champions, Air Ambulance NI volunteers and customers come together for an amazing charity!” 

With the ‘Red Day’ campaign, Tesco has contributed to over £50,000 to the charity, not including previous support through bag packs, donated vouchers, and a grant from the Tesco foundation.