An Armagh man whose cousin’s life was “saved” by Air Ambulance NI has created a novelty passport with the hopes of raising enough money to cover at least one day of the charity’s running costs.
Business owner and TikToker, Charlie Guy, is known far and wide for his tongue-in-cheek football banter under the handle @charhohm80 on the video-led social platform, TikTok.
His current fundraising effort stems from a video published in April – which has amassed over 105,000 views – where Charlie reinvents himself as Armagh’s “Chief Immigration Officer” to deal with and restrict an “influx of people from Tyrone” into Armagh following the Orchard County’s All-Ireland win.
Speaking to Armagh I, he said: “It started off as a joke! Basically, I was telling people from Tyrone that they were going to need a passport now to get into Armagh.
“I was saying anyone working in Armagh or married to Armagh people would have to pledge allegiance to Armagh.”
To do this, Charlie joked that he would be introducing a ‘passport’ for the people of Tyrone. And this light-hearted wisecrack has now become something of a reality.
In a follow-up video, Charlie explained that the people of Tyrone had taken the video “exactly as it was meant”. Many joked back that they were panicked by not having a passport of their own, and so – Charlie said – “I’m going to have to get these made!”
The opportunity to print a physical passport not only allowed him to be creative – it gave Charlie the chance to put any funds to good use.
In January 2025, the entire Armagh community was rocked by a tragic road traffic accident on the Killylea Road – just miles from the county border with Tyrone – which claimed the lives of father and son, Peter and Loughlin Devlin. Involved in the crash was Charlie’s cousin and Peter’s wife, Ursula, who survived.
Charlie explains that the Air Ambulance “saved her life that day”, and to show his deep appreciation for the work they do, he named Air Ambulance NI as the beneficiary of the passport proceeds.
Since last Friday (18 April), he has had a whopping 1,200 passports printed. The passports will now be sold for £2 each, with “at least” £1 from every sale going directly to the charity.
The novelty prints are as tongue-in-cheek as the original joke, featuring an image of Armagh GAA Manager Kieran McGeeney painted in Messiah-like form by local artist, Malachy O’Neill.
After contacting the team at Air Ambulance NI and doing his own research, Charlie discovered that it takes, on average, £7,000 a day for the life-saving charity to remain operational.
He has therefore set his target at £7,000, saying, “If I could pay for one day, I’d be delighted,” but adds, “If I get the one, then I’ll try and do two days.”
The passports are currently available to purchase online from Sweet Guyz website here or from Tullygoonigan Industrial Estate where they have even added an amusing “Passport Office” sign to their door!
Charlie is also hoping that local retailers will make contact in an collaborate effort to get as many passports sold as possible.
Contact Charlie or one of the team via phone on 02837524888 or email provincialmarketing@live.co.uk for more information.
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