Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to support Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

Antrim Civic Centre, Ballyclare Town Hall and Mossley Mill will be illuminated tonight.

As one of the Mayor’s two chosen charities it is an opportunity for the council to lend support at a time when so many charities are suffering a huge drop in revenue.

The Mayor, Cllr Jim Montgomery said: “Air Ambulance Northern Ireland has provided a crucial service and saved many lives during their three years in operation.

“They rely heavily on support from the public and local businesses with running costs of £2m each year.

“This charity has a special meaning to me and it is great to be able to highlight the amazing service they provide 365 days a year.

“So many charities have been affected financially as a result of Covid-19 and I would urge the public to support this charity in any way they can.”

Grace Williams, Area Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI added: “We are delighted that Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be supporting national Air Ambulance Week by lighting all of their council civic buildings in red, to show support for your local Air Ambulance.

“We are so excited to be one of Mayor’s charity partners for 2020/21 and can’t wait to see what the year brings.

“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.”

The charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland.

The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day. It can get to anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.

The HEMS team attend 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 National Air Ambulances week is celebrated from September 7 to September 13.

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