Lockdown Street Bingo raises funds for Air Ambulance NI

distanced garden bingo.

One of the residents, Lynsey Clarke, had heard about other estates and streets playing bingo outdoors during lockdown and thought it would be a great idea to bring it to her own area. She set up a Facebook Messenger Group along with neighbour Wendy Ryan and between them started to organise the bingo with other residents. 

Wendy said: “We ordered the bingo books online, made up goodie bags for the kids, sorted out speakers and microphones and put a range of prizes on for the winners. The prizes for the first week featured quite a bit of toilet roll, hand-wash sanitiser as those were the items in high demand. The weather was fabulous, and we couldn’t get over how many people came out to join in. Everyone brought their deck chairs out and settled themselves in their gardens or on the footpath.

“After the first week, because everyone was so willing, we decided to make it a weekly occurrence. From there on in everyone brought a prize for the table each week and we set out a wee jar for any cash donations to be able to show our appreciation to key workers. With these donations we were able to give gifts to our bin men and postman as well as keyworkers living in our community - we had a paramedic, nurse, physiotherapist and homecare worker to name just a few.

“After they were all treated, everyone was invited to choose a charity that the remaining funds would be donated to and it was unanimous that the money would be donated to the air ambulance.”

Air Ambulance NI was delighted to hear about the fundraiser.

Colleen Milligan from the charity said: “We want to say a huge thank you to Wendy, Lynsey and all the residents of Lynn Avenue and Lynn Crescent.

“We are just so happy and grateful to hear about these types of fundraisers that not only support the charity but also support wellbeing and reduce isolation in the community- and are fun.

“As a service we rely heavily on charitable donations to keep the medical team in the air, delivering critical care to patients who have suffered trauma throughout Northern Ireland- without this type of support, the team simply couldn’t fly. 

“Every single penny counts, and we are so thankful to the Dromore residents for continuing to keep Air

Ambulance in their hearts.”

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