Autoline Coleraine '˜lifts off' with Air Ambulance NI

The charity, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service that responds to severely ill or injured patients, seven days a week, 12 hours a day.

From its base in Lisburn the Air Ambulance can reach any part of Northern Ireland in just 25 minutes.

Pamela Doherty, Coleraine Branch Manager, said: “The Air Ambulance is making an amazing difference to people right across Northern Ireland and staff at Autoline Coleraine will be hosting fundraising events throughout the year.

“Autoline already runs a road safety programme that has reached 25,000 young people and we have strong links with Northern Ireland’s farming community. AANI’s remarkable work is, therefore, a perfect fit and complements our passion for supporting the local community through Autoline’s ‘We’re With You’ ethos.”

Kerry Anderson, AANI’s Head of Fundraising, said: “Serious or life-threatening situations can and do happen regularly and, on average, every single day in Northern Ireland, one individual finds themselves in desperate need of the Air Ambulance NI service. We are dedicated to delivering the very best possible patient care, so our service is often the difference between life and death. 

“Since our first deployment in July 2017 the medical crew have been tasked to attend 240 incidents. Given the level of need and the fact that each day we need to raise £5,500; partnerships like this one are greatly appreciated. We are really looking forward to working with each of the branches and head office to raise funds and awareness amongst staff and Autoline Insurance customers.”

AANI’s primary role is to deliver advanced critical care, benefitting those whose lives are at serious risk following significant injury or trauma by bringing urgent medical assistance directly to the patient at the scene.

Most of the responses to incidents are by air, but the team also has a rapid response vehicle, Delta 7, for times when the helicopter isn’t able to fly or the incident is in close proximity.

Autoline Coleraine’s charity champions, Lizzie Graham and Zoe Dunbar, recently attended an eye-opening visit to AANI’s base, to help kick-start their fundraising for the year.