The event proved a success, raising an impressive £1,576.40 to help the Air Ambulance deliver critical pre-hospital care directly to patients when every second counts. The charity works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), which aims to save lives, brains and limbs.
On average, the medical team are called out twice every day. The service, which has been tasked over 5,000 times since its launch in July 2017, relies on public support and needs £8,200 each day in fundraising to remain operational. Every fundraising effort, big or small, helps the charity reach its ambitious annual target of £3 million, ensuring that advanced, on-scene medical care is available when needed most.
Katrina Hughes, Area Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI, expressed her gratitude:
“We were delighted to have Shaw’s Yard choose Air Ambulance NI as the beneficiary of their BBQ fundraiser. It’s always inspiring to see local communities rally together with a shared purpose—because Air Ambulance NI truly is everyone’s Air Ambulance. This Christmas, we invite everyone to get involved—host a Christmas Jumper Day, organise a festive fundraiser, or simply spread the word. Every effort, big or small, helps save lives across Northern Ireland.”
