Jean Penney from Larne recently celebrated her 90th birthday by asking friends and family to donate to Air Ambulance NI instead of giving gifts.
Jean’s family are farmers, and she understands first-hand how vital the charity can be in bringing critical care to the scene when the worst happens. Farming-related incidents account for an average of one Air Ambulance NI call-out every week.
Air Ambulance NI works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to deliver the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland, responding to around 60 call-outs each month.
The charity’s very first patient was Conor from Newcastle, a young boy who was injured in a farm-related incident and has since made a full recovery. Earlier this year, Tommy Bowen, a cattle trader from Castlecaulfield, Co Tyrone, also praised Air Ambulance NI and the emergency services after surviving a bull attack last year.
Explaining why she wanted to support the charity, Jean said: “Having farming connections, we know how quickly accidents can happen and how important it is to have specialist emergency care available when it is needed most. I didn’t need gifts and I felt that asking for donations to Air Ambulance NI instead of birthday gifts was a meaningful way to mark my 90th birthday and help support this lifesaving service.”
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance NI said: “We are incredibly grateful to Jean for choosing to support Air Ambulance NI as part of such a special birthday celebration. Donations in lieu of gifts are a thoughtful and lasting way to help ensure the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service can continue to be there for people across Northern Ireland when they need it most.”
Air Ambulance NI needs £8,200 every day to sustain its lifesaving service. Donations in lieu of gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and other milestones are a meaningful way to support the charity and help keep the service operational 365 days a year.
To find out more about supporting Air Ambulance NI, including making a donation in lieu of gifts, please visit www.airambulanceni.org or contact the fundraising team on 028 9262 2677.
