Translink has announced Air Ambulance Northern Ireland as its designated charity partner for the next three years. The new partnership strapline, ‘saving lives, there for the journey’, encapsulates the purpose of raising funds so that the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) continues to provide pre-hospital critical care in emergency incidents.
For both organisations transport is clearly key with Translink covering 44 million miles per annum across road and rail and the air ambulance service essentially providing a rapid transit hospital direct to scene either by road or air when needed, which is on average twice every day.
Air Ambulance NI’s Head of Fundraising, Kerry Anderson commented on the new partnership:
“We are like-minded organisations serving the heart of the community right across Northern Ireland. Together we want to save lives and ensure that people are there to enjoy their journey. Each day, the HEMS team provide critical care for a patient at scene whether that is a road traffic collision, farm accident, sporting injury or fall. Patients are of all ages, from all backgrounds and every part of Northern Ireland. The pre-hospital care delivered at scene can include giving blood, advanced pain relief, inducing a coma and amputation.
“This is a real partnership about helping our communities stay safe, get home safe and be there for the journey. We are very much looking forward to working with the Translink teams and have some great events lined up for their staff including abseils, runs and team challenges. We’d like to sincerely thank those who nominated us and look forward to a fun few years ahead.”
Launching the new partnership with a visit to the airbase, Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive at Translink said:
“We are proud to announce Air Ambulance as our new charity partner following a company-wide staff vote. Translink has a strong history of supporting local charities and our staff really get behind the partnerships to help raise vital funds and drive awareness of the important services our local charities offer. This new partnership with Air Ambulance NI will be no different and I’m really looking forward to supporting our staff as we plan a range of events and initiatives to boost the funds needed to keep the essential work of the Air Ambulance NI going.
“No one wants to be in the situation where they or a loved one need the services of the Air Ambulance, but it’s so important that the team at Air Ambulance NI has the necessary funding it needs to continue to provide vital lifesaving assistance, and we hope that our commitment over the next three years will help the charity save even more lives and ensure everyone gets home safe.”
Air Ambulance NI works with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland. The charity’s operational helicopter carries a crew compiling pilot, doctor, and paramedic, 365 days of the year operating for twelve hours every day. The charity aspires to raise £2m per year to sustain and develop the service.
