St Paul’s students step out for Air Ambulance NI

The participants, the Class of 12/19, were joined by their teacher Shelley Darling, and classroom assistant, Karen Gallogly, who organise the walk each year as part of a pastoral initiative to encourage teamwork, wellbeing and community spirit.

This year marked the fifth consecutive sponsored walk by the class, with the group choosing to donate their fund-raising proceeds to Air Ambulance NI, a charity that provides life-saving helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) across Northern Ireland.

The walk, held in the scenic surroundings of Derrymore Woods, was said to be both “a celebration of community spirit and a demonstration of the students’ compassion and generosity.”

Ms Darling said: “Each year, our class looks forward to this walk as a way to come together for a good cause.

“We’re proud to support Air Ambulance NI and the incredible work they do across Northern Ireland.

“Their service makes a real difference to so many families.”

Bébhionn Hardy, Community Fundraising Coordinator at Air Ambulance NI, added: “We’re so thankful to the students and staff of St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, for their wonderful fundraising efforts.

“Every donation helps us continue to deliver critical care where and when it’s needed most.”

The charity, Air Ambulance NI, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the 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 attends 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 the province within 25 minutes.

On average, the medical team is called upon twice every day, whether that be to a serious road traffic collision, farm or workplace accident, sport and leisure incident, or a serious medical emergency.

Any patients or families who have been touched by the work of the Air Ambulance are welcome to visit the airbase and can get in touch with Air Ambulance NI by calling 028 9262 2677.

As a local charity, Air Ambulance NI aspires to raise £3 million each year to maintain and sustain this service, so public donations are crucial.

One of the simplest ways to offer support is by becoming a member of Club AANI and donating via a monthly or annual subscription.

To find out more, visit www.airambulanceni.org or people can contact the charity directly by emailing [email protected] or by calling 028 9262 2677.