Ballymoney resident Rebekah Jones is calling on the local public to join her in climbing Mount Slemish – one of Northern Ireland’s most well-known peaks, in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) for the charity’s 3 Peaks Challenge.
Supported by Boost Drinks, the event will see supporters take on one, two or three of Northern Ireland’s famous peaks this September in aid of the charity.
Rebekah is supporting Air Ambulance NI because of the care she received from the air ambulance team following a road traffic collision in July 2018. Rebekah suffered an open fracture in her leg, spinal injuries, a fractured cheekbone, serious concussion and a shattered kneecap. The injuries to her kneecap were so extensive that it had to be removed.
The charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the region and responds to seriously ill or injured patients 12 hours a day, 7 days per week. Air Ambulance NI has been tasked to more than 900 taskings since its inception in July 2017.
Rebekah said: “I still don’t know how someone was able to get me out of that car. I owe so much to the HEMS team and I wanted to get involved in the 3 Peaks Challenge because I genuinely believe that I owe the team my life. If it wasn’t for air ambulance, I may not be here today, so this is my chance to give something back. I’m asking everyone to join me in taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge to help other people who might one day need the air ambulance like I did.”
Rebekah will take on Slemish in County Antrim on Saturday 28th September as part of the 3 Peaks Challenge, which is taking place during Air Ambulance Month. Other peaks included in the challenge are Slieve Donard in County Down on 14th September, and Cuilcagh in County Fermanagh on 21st September. Participants can choose one, two or three of the peaks as part of the event.
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising, said: “We would like to thank Rebekah for getting involved in the 3 Peaks Challenge and we are confident her support will encourage others to sign up to climb. We’re asking people from across Northern Ireland to sign up for the 3 Peaks Challenge, whether you’re new to hiking or you’ve climbed all three peaks before.
“We need donations from the public as it costs £2million per year to keep our vital service running. The air ambulance is a doctor and paramedic service, so it’s crucial in cases of emergency like what Rebekah experienced. We can’t wait to see people across Northern Ireland take on the three peaks for a worthy cause.”
To register for the 3 Peaks Challenge or to learn more about AANI, please visit Air Ambulance Northern Ireland’s Facebook page, call 028 9262 2677.