Thompson Leisure Ltd., the premier destination for new and used motorhomes in Northern Ireland, is proud to announce its ongoing commitment to supporting Air Ambulance NI. Since 2022, the company has raised over £13,000 for this vital service, driven by a deeply personal connection to the organisation.

In 2021, the Thompson family experienced firsthand the critical importance of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) when their son, Alexander, required urgent medical assistance following a motocross accident. This life-changing event ignited a passionate commitment to support Air Ambulance NI, ensuring that this essential service remains operational for those in need across the region.

Throughout September, the staff at Thompson Leisure Ltd. organised several successful quiz nights alongside a raffle, contributing a further £914 to the cause. These events not only provided an opportunity for staff, friends, and family to come together for a worthy cause but also helped raise vital funds to support their local air ambulance service.

“Supporting Air Ambulance NI is incredibly important to us,” said Joel Woods, Marketing Manager at Thompson Leisure Ltd. “We are grateful for the exceptional work they do and want to ensure that they can continue to provide critical care to those in need. The response from our customers and team has been fantastic, and we are thrilled we can continue raising critical funds’

Amy Henshaw, Area Fundraising Manager for the charity, expressed her gratitude: “We are deeply thankful for the continued support from Thompson Leisure. The air ambulance is tasked, on average, twice each day, and the funds raised will contribute to the life-saving missions that our team undertakes every day.”

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, continues to be a lifeline for communities across the province, offering a critical HEMS that operates seven days a week, twelve hours a day. 

The HEMS team is dedicated to providing urgent medical assistance to anyone in need, regardless of location, with the primary aim of saving lives, preserving neurological function, and preventing limb loss. Equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by highly trained professionals, the service delivers emergency pre-hospital care directly to patients who are seriously ill or injured. 

Operating at a remarkable pace, the aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes, ensuring rapid response to emergencies.

As a local charity, Air Ambulance NI needs to raise £2.5 million annually to maintain this service, and charity partnerships are crucial in sustaining operations. For more information on how your business can get involved with fundraising and raising awareness, please contact the charity at info@airambulanceni.org or call 028 9262 2677.