As the festive season approaches and families across Northern Ireland prepare to celebrate, Air Ambulance NI is making an urgent appeal to the public: help keep this vital service flying this Christmas and beyond.
While many of us enjoy the holidays, the Air Ambulance will remain operational every single day — ready to respond when tragedy strikes. The service expects to be tasked over 60 times this December alone, delivering pre-hospital critical care at the scene of serious incidents across our province.
Tom Hadden from Dungannon was reminiscing about the vital importance of the Air Ambulance, as he put up the Christmas decorations with his family, exactly 8 years after his life-changing road traffic collision.
“Without the Air Ambulance and early intervention from the medical team it could have been a very different ending for me.”
Tom was at work driving the bin lorry, the same as he’d done for 35 years. But on the 9th November 2017 his everyday routine was turned upside down. After the impact, all Tom remembers is his colleague Nigel getting out of the lorry and calling for help, which arrived in minutes. Nigel also called Tom’s wife Carol who recalls hearing Tom’s screams of pain in the background and she immediately rushed to his side.
When the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service arrived, Tom was in a great deal of pain as he had sustained a multiple crushing injury to his right leg so they worked to help ease this by providing sedation and advanced pain management for extraction. Once free from the vehicle, he was then flown by the air ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital and rushed into surgery.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Air Ambulance — the swift intervention from the medical team quite literally changed the course of my life. I also want to honour the dedication of every medical professional who has helped me along the way. Without their combined care, my story could have ended very differently.”
The HEMS is called out twice a day on average, bringing a consultant and paramedic directly to those who are critically ill or injured. Flying at 180mph, they provide emergency treatment that often means the difference between life and death.
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance NI, said:
“This is a critical service that never stops. The Air Ambulance delivers advanced care directly to the patient, whether that’s at the roadside, rural area or the heart of Belfast City Centre. This advanced pre-hospital care saves the lives, brains, and limbs of people in our communities and families. But it’s not only the medical crew who save lives — it’s people like you who make it possible. Every donation, every fundraiser, every act of support keeps our helicopter in the air for everyone.”
Air Ambulance NI needs to raise £8,200 every single day to stay operational. The local charity is calling on communities, schools, clubs, and families to make a difference this Christmas by coming together in support.
Four Ways You Can Help Save Lives This December
- Host a Festive Fundraiser:
Gather your friends, family, or neighbours for a Christmas Jumper Day, quiz night, bake sale, or carol singing event. Every pound raised helps keep the helicopter flying. - Become a member:
Show your commitment to saving lives by gifting a membership to yourself or someone special for as little as £2 per week. Members receive an exclusive gold pin badge, welcome pack, updates about the service and an annual invitation to the members get-together. - Buy Air Ambulance NI Christmas Gifts or Cards:
Shop local and support a lifesaving cause with festive Christmas cards, travel mugs, and other gifts from the Air Ambulance NI online shop — or send e-cards through the “Don’t Send Me A Card” platform and donate what you save. - Spread the Word:
Share the message. Talk about the air ambulance at your local club, church, or community centre. Request posters or leaflets from Air Ambulance NI and help raise awareness about the charity’s vital role in saving lives across Northern Ireland.
This December, let’s come together as one community to ensure that this lifesaving service continues in 2026 and beyond. Your support today could save someone’s life tomorrow.
