A workplace accident that could have ended in tragedy has instead sparked a wave of gratitude and community support, raising over £20,000 for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, funding an additional three days and potentially helping 6 future patients.  

In October 2024, Paul Brannigan from Galbally, Co Tyrone was seriously injured when metal fell and struck him on the head. Having received details of the call through the 999 service, ambulance control immediately despatched an emergency crew to the scene and also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance, with HEMS crew on board, to the incident. On arrival at the scene, the emergency crew immediately set about providing critical initial treatment to Paul. When the HEMS crew arrived some minutes later, they were able to anaesthetise Paul, to ensure a safe onward journey to the RVH. This clinical teamwork was instrumental in ensuring that Paul was able to, from that moment, begin his road to recovery.  

To show appreciation for the lifesaving care he received that day, an Irish music session fundraising night was held in Quinn’s Corner, Dungannon on 22nd March, with friends and family rallying together in support. The event raised an incredible £20,671 for Air Ambulance NI, helping to ensure the charity can continue flying the HEMS to deliver care across Northern Ireland. 

Paul said: “I’m beyond grateful to be here today — and it’s all thanks to the fast response and incredible care from the air ambulance service. This fundraiser was a way for us to give something back, and we managed to raise £20,671 for Air Ambulance NI.  

It was so great to visit the base recently with my family, to handover our donation and speak to the medical team and thank them for their support that day. 

I’m blown away by everyone’s generosity. A huge thank you goes out to my family, friends, and everyone who attended the event or supported us in any way – we can’t believe how generous people have been.” 

Grace Williams, Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI said, “We were delighted to welcome Paul and his family down to the base recently. Raising this figure is a truly incredible achievement, and we’re thrilled to hear that Paul is doing so well following his accident. 

None of us know who might need this service and donations are essential to keep the team flying.  This donation will fund the service for three days, enabling the team to make a difference to 6 patients in need. 

Our heartfelt thanks go to Paul, Annette, the Brannigan family and everyone who supported their fundraising efforts, for this tremendous support.” 

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

The HEMS team attend patients who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency pre-hospital care direct to the casualty with the aim of saving lives, brains and limbs.  The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes. 

Since the service was formed in 2017, the team have been tasked on more than 5,000 occasions to incidents of serious trauma or medical emergency, which is an average of 2 calls per day. It costs over £8,000 a day to sustain this life saving service here in Northern Ireland, which means the charity needs to raise £3million annually.