Ulster Region SJI Pony Committee Charity Pony Show raises £20,915 for Air Ambulance NI
Both Castle Irvine and Ulster Region SJI Pony Committee would
like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make their pony show
on Sunday 19th June such a success which raised such a large amount
of money for Air Ambulance NI. This generous total came from entry fees,
donations, donations of prize money from the children on the day, a raffle ran
by Thyolo Equestrian and Chocolate Fountains WCM who ran a guess the 5p’s
competition.
Aldyth Roulston representing the Ulster Region SJI Pony Committee and Hannah Gallagher representing Castle Irvine ably assisted by Jessica Baxter and her mother Janette handed over the cheque to Myrtle and George Irvine representing Air Ambulance on Monday 11th July. Ray Buchannon, Chairman of the Ulster Region stated, ‘We are overjoyed with the amount of money that has been raised of Air Ambulance NI. I would like to thank all of the show sponsors and those who donated to this very worthy cause. The support shown has been truly exceptional.’
Guess the amount of 5p’s’ Kindly donated by Mary of Chocolate Fountains WCM, which raised a total in excess of £1000.
Photograped Ruth Collum, Aldyth Roulston, Tracy Kelly and Mary Gervin. The Winner was Gabriel Tunney. His prize consisted of a slushie machine kindly donated by Tracy Kelly, Cladam Equestrian voucher, TRI Equestrian (NI) voucher and a Pukka belt from P.Murdock Saddlery.
Jessica who had a riding accident at a showjumping event last
September had to avail of the Air Ambulance NI service when she was airlifted
to the Royal Victoria Children’s Hospital, where she spent 9 weeks. Jessica and
her family are deeply indebted to this crucial service and would like to take
this opportunity to thank the Air Ambulance NI, Doctor Geoff McCracken, the
show paramedic on the day and the NI Ambulance Service who all provided aid to
Jessica.
10 Year Old Liam Kelly from County Donegal celebrating his win on Helas Babe. Liam like so many of the other children on the day at the Ulster Region Pony Committee SJI Pony Charity Show very kindly donated all of his prize money to Air Ambulance NI Charity. These kind donations from the children raised £500 for the charity.
There were almost 350 entries competing in classes from 128 50cm
to 148 1.20m to Children on Horses and Junior 1.20m. A lot of these competitors
had travelled from all over Ireland and stayed locally for the
weekend. We would like to say thank you to all our sponsors who
kindly gave prize money for all 18 classes to run the show. Aldyth Roulston
from Ulster Region SJI Pony Committee said, “We have seen first-hand the
incredible work that the Air Ambulance Crews do and are only delighted to help
keep this work going. I am in awe of the amount of money we managed to raise. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank Hannah Gallagher from Castle
Irvine and their incredible team for all of their hard work and support. This
was a joint venture between the SJI Pony Committee and Castle Irvine. I would
also like to say a heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us in anyway, we
had people donating and competing from the length and breadth of Ireland.
Donations rolled in long after the show ended.
Charlotte Foley on Ghost Rider Kerveyer from Kilmacthomas, County Waterford in the 128 U10cm class sponsored by Shanakill House Equestrian Centre.
Damien McAnespie, Air Ambulance NI fundraising manager, said, “I want to thank everyone that supported or participated in the Ulster Region Pony Committee charity pony show a few weeks ago at Necarne. The family and friends of former patient Jessica,
as well as the equestrian community, have come together in support of Air
Ambulance NI and have raised enough to fund the service for nearly four days,
potentially saving the lives, brains and limbs of up to eight individuals
following a serious trauma or medical incident here in Northern Ireland. It is
truly amazing support, and we greatly appreciate it.”
The charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). 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. From the inception of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland in July 2017, the HEMS has been tasked 2,969 times. Air Ambulance NI attends to 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. Air Ambulance NI aspires to raise £2million each year, or £5,500 a day, to sustain and develop this service and public support is crucial.
