Quadriplegic Leonard Mullin from Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone has raised an incredible £18,698 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland after he set himself the huge personal challenge of handwriting a letter of thanks to the team who helped saved his life after he required the service three years ago.
Leonard began the unique challenge five months ago and concluded the writing of his letter on the third anniversary of his accident. During that time, hundreds of individuals supported his challenge by making donations to his online fundraising page as well as the community supporting Leonard with a quiz night held in Farley’s Bar, Beragh and a coffee morning held in Altamuskin Community Centre.
Initially setting himself an ambition target of £6900, Leonard soon surpassed it and actually more than doubled what he set out to raise. Leonard’s story of positivity and defying the odds received huge attention in local media, on television, web and radio with BBC NI and BBC Breakfast featuring his inspiring story to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.
Leonard’s life changed dramatically on Friday 3rd June 2022 when a fall downstairs left him with profound injuries, “It was on that day that Air Ambulance Northern Ireland came to my rescue, providing the critical care and rapid response that saved my life. However, the accident left me a quadriplegic. I’m paralysed from the chest down and have very limited use of my limbs. Every single day is a fight to regain the use of them. Even such a simple thing as holding a fork is incredibly challenging for me.”
Speaking about the support Leonard has received, he said, “I want to say a big thank you to everyone who raised awareness of, funds for, and or donated to the fundraiser. Throughout this whole process of writing the letter and raising money for the Air Ambulance, I have been well and truly bowled over by people’s kindness. Be it donating, collecting money, or organising events such as the table quiz or coffee morning, the generosity shown has been astounding. I am truly humbled.
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is such a wonderful organisation. Without it’s swift intervention I wouldn’t be here and I’m proud to have helped raise money for such a vital cause.”
Damien McAnespie, Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI said, “I want to congratulate Leonard for what he has achieved, not only in handwriting a deeply personal three page letter of thanks to the medical team for helping to save his life but for the awareness and vital funds he has raised for Air Ambulance NI. Through his fundraising challenge, Leonard has helped to fund the service for over two days, potentially saving the life, brain or limb of four individuals in the region. We are incredibly grateful and humbled by his bravery and positivity throughout. At a fundraising need of £3 million a year, none of us knows who may need the air ambulance in the future but it is vitally important that it is there for everyone.”
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.
To ready Leonard’s full story, please visit: www.airambulanceni.org/leonards-letter-of-gratitude-appeal-for-air-ambulance-ni/ .