Rory O’Connor, Ryan Donnelly and Ciaran Shevlin all ran the half-marathon event in March in support of Rory’s father, Mickey O’Connor, after he required the air ambulance. In October 2021, Mickey sustained serious injuries following a farm machinery accident at home, for which the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) were tasked to. Mickey sustained serious pelvis, groin and arm injuries in the incident, resulting in him being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where he underwent emergency surgery and spent nine days in hospital.

Following Mickey’s accident, his son Rory decided to do a fundraiser for Air Ambulance NI charity and thought that the Spar Omagh Half Marathon would be the ideal event. Speaking about the idea, Rory said, “It was around Christmas time when my wife Christine suggested the idea and got me registered. I wasn’t too keen at first as I was new to running, but I joined Knockmany Running Club in January along with Ciaran and Ryan, and around two weeks later, I asked them to do the fundraiser along with me, and they happily agreed.

It was not all plain sailing, though, as we picked up an odd injury along the way, but with the help and support of the Knockmany Running Club coach Conor McCarroll, club members and our families, we were able to make it over the line and raise a phenomenal amount of money. I just really want to thank all those who supported us in many ways. The build-up to the Half Marathon was really one to remember, with so many people calling and wishing us well. Then on the day itself, the support was out of this world. I do believe we had someone we knew at every mile cheering us on, which really kept us going. It was a great feeling to cross the finish line and to know that we had raised so much for this exceptional charity.

Air Ambulance NI is a local charity that provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in partnership with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. 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.

On average the medical team are called upon twice every day, whether that is as a result of a serious road traffic collision, farm or workplace accident, sport and leisure incident or a serious medical emergency. As a local charity, Air Ambulance NI aspires to raise £3million each year, or £8,100 each day, to maintain and sustain this service so public donations are crucial.