Starting in October of last year, the vibrant community at Limavady High School gathered for an announcement from Mr. Mornin during the school assembly: Air Ambulance NI was chosen as their official charity! This decision resonated deeply within the hearts of many, particularly current students Harry and Ellie Smyth and their mother, Caroline. Following the tragic loss of their father in a road traffic accident in 2019, the Smyth family has passionately advocated for this vital service, honouring the support they received during an incredibly tough time.

(left to right – Kevin O’Neill, Ellie Smyth, Mr Ian Crowe MBE, Mr. Mornin, Briege Mulholland)

The charity Air Ambulance NI, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland.  The service brings urgent medical assistance attending to 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.  Air Ambulance operates seven days a week for 12 hours per day. The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes. On average, the doctor and paramedic team are tasked twice a 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, to name a few. 

(Staff and students from Limavady High School pictured with members of the Air Ambulance NI HEMS crew at their base)

In light of this heartfelt connection, Mr. Mornin enthusiastically set an ambitious fundraising target of £35000, aiming to cover the cost of the Air Ambulance for a whole school week. The school community, including every form class and staff member, united with spirit and determination to embark on this challenging fundraising adventure.

Mr Mornin, principal, stated “It was amazing to see how the LHS family rallied behind this very worthwhile cause. I am so proud of everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts”

By Christmas, the efforts had resulted in an astounding £10,000, demonstrating the power of teamwork and creativity! Among the many uplifting highlights were the incredible £843 raised by Mr. Caskey’s class, 9F, through their handcrafted Christmas Craft hamper, and the excitement of Charley Smithson winning a PS5 in the much-anticipated Christmas draw.

As the New Year dawned, the fundraising continued with even more enthusiasm! After a brief January break to recharge, they jumped back in with a £10 draw in February, which brought in over £3,000—what an amazing start to the year! Teacher Mrs. McDonald ended up winning the top cash prize of £500, adding to the celebratory spirit.

The local community rallied around the cause with incredible generosity. Roy Nutt raised a jaw-dropping £3,400 at the National Tyre Distributions Association dinner, and Karen Brown, the grandmother of student Abbi Brown, made a splendid £1,000 donation instead of birthday presents for her 60th—what a fabulous way to celebrate a milestone!

In-school fundraisers kept the momentum going, featuring standout events like an exhilarating charity netball tournament led by Mrs. Bingham, a delightful Easter hamper created by Mrs. Quigg, Ms. McCloskey, and 8R, and Mr. O’Doherty’s energetic participation in the Walled City 10K, supported by Form Class 8T. Ice Pop Fridays, organized by Mrs. Patton and her amazing helpers, brought sweet treats to the mix, while Mrs. Maguire and Mrs. Watkin hosted an exciting darts competition, searching for the next Luke Littler!

Not to be overlooked, the brilliant PTA played a pivotal role by orchestrating a lively Blue Lamp Disco and an unforgettable school color run, with memorable moments like the slip and slide and David Ujuanbi’s epic belly flop!

Throughout the year, individual pupils shone brightly in their efforts. Year 10’s Harry Caskey orchestrated his own “guess the sweets in the jar” competition, raising an impressive £1,250, while Year 12’s Lily Thompson tackled a grueling 24-hour challenge that included a 22-mile cycle, an overnight hike, and another 28-mile cycle, all with her mother Amanda and family friend Heather Nicholl! Together, they completed this incredible feat in just 18 hours, raising a jaw-dropping £2,950 for Air Ambulance NI.

The fundraising extravaganza culminated in the spectacular “LHS May Ball” held at the Roe Park Resort, where nearly 200 guests were welcomed, including inspiring speakers Harry Smyth, a current Year 11 pupil, and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Mr. Steven Callaghan. The evening was filled with excitement, featuring a raffle and auction with fantastic prizes donated by local businesses and generous friends of the school.

Mr. Mornin took the stage to share an inspiring overview of the fundraising year and extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone—pupils, staff, parents, and the entire local community—who came together to surpass their fundraising goal. The grand total donated to Air Ambulance NI was an incredible £60,000! (including Gift Aid). What a remarkable achievement for a truly worthy cause.

Katrina Hughes, Area Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI, highlighted the year-long dedication and efforts of Limavady High School. “What the students, staff, and wider community have accomplished in the past year is truly remarkable. They raised enough funds to support almost nine days of this lifesaving service, which is truly special. There was an array of activities throughout the year, including netball and hyrox events, bake sales, and color runs, allowing everyone to get involved. This incredible achievement really demonstrates the power of teamwork and community spirit. We are absolutely blown away by the support from the school and were delighted to welcome several students and staff to our base on October 25th to witness firsthand how their fundraising will make a difference. On behalf of everyone at Air Ambulance NI, thank you so much for helping to save lives.”

The charity aspires to raise £2.5m per year through continued public support, to ensure that the service continues to be there for everyone.  There are many ways to support Air Ambulance NI which will truly be making a difference to someone’s life. One of the most impactful ways you can support is by joining Club AANI. 

Members of Club AANI help to keep the service operational 365 days a year, by making a small donation each month. Regular donations create sustainability for this crucial lifesaving service and allow the charity to predict regular income levels to keep the helicopter flying while looking towards the future. In return, members receive a limited-edition gold pin badge, monthly updates on the work of Air Ambulance NI and an invitation to an annual members get-together. 

For more information on supporting Air Ambulance NI please go to www.airambulanceni.org