An Armagh family has raised an incredible £15,097, splitting the proceeds equally between Air Ambulance NI and FAME Child Rescue Centre in Kenya.
The Gardiner family has demonstrated the power of community spirit and generosity by raising an outstanding £7,548.50 for Air Ambulance NI and £7,548.50 for FAME (Friends of Africa Missionary Endeavour Limited) through their fundraising efforts.
The fantastic contribution will make a meaningful difference to both charities, supporting life-saving emergency medical care here in Northern Ireland and providing vital care and support to vulnerable children in Kenya.
The fundraising event, held at Drumgar Poultry, was a fantastic day out for all the family, with a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. Guests enjoyed a petting farm featuring goats, ponies, spotted Dutch sheep and pedigree Zwartbles sheep, alongside face painting, bouncy castles, an obstacle course, a giant slide and a pedal tractor course.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Julie Gardiner said: “It means so much to our family to be able to support two organisations that make such a significant difference to people’s lives, both here in Northern Ireland and further afield in Kenya.
“We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts.. The generosity and kindness shown by our local community has been truly overwhelming, and we are incredibly proud that the money raised will help Air Ambulance NI continue its life-saving work and support the incredible care provided by FAME to vulnerable children in Kenya.”
The Gardiner family’s fundraising efforts reflect a shared commitment to helping others, both locally and internationally, bringing together two very different charities.
Bébhionn Hardy, Community Fundraising Coordinator from Air Ambulance NI said: “Air Ambulance NI would like to extend its sincere thanks to the Gardiner family and everyone who contributed to this fantastic fundraising achievement.
The generosity shown will help Air Ambulance NI continue delivering critical emergency care to patients across Northern Ireland and ensure that this vital service remains available when it is needed most.”
Every donation, no matter the size, helps make a difference, and the Gardiner family’s achievement is a wonderful example of how community fundraising can have a lasting impact.
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 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 aircraft can reach anywhere in the province within twenty-five minutes.
On average the medical team are called upon twice every day, whether that 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 should 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 support is by becoming a member of Club AANI and donating via a monthly or annual subscription. Find out more by visiting www.airambulanceni.org alternatively you can contact the charity directly by emailing info@airambulanceni.org or calling 028 9262 2677.
