Newry Train Station's 'book corner' raises over £1,000 for Air Ambulance

Amy Henshaw (Air Ambulance NI) receiving a cheque for £1072 from Bridgeen Torrens (Translink).

On a recent visit to Newry Train Station, the charity Air Ambulance NI were delighted to receive a very generous cheque for £1072 from Translink staff member Bridgeen Torrens.

These vital funds were raised through their dedicated 2023 ‘Book Corner’, whereby passengers had the opportunity to choose a book to read on their journeys, in exchange for a donation to the charity.

Amy Henshaw, Area Fundraising Manger for the charity, commented, “This is a wonderful initiative which greatly benefits both passengers and the air ambulance alike.

"As Translink’s charity partner, we are so thankful for local stations getting on board with fundraising for the charity and showing terrific enthusiasm in initiatives like these.

"Thank you to all the passengers and staff at Newry Train Station for continuing their great efforts and for supporting the charity with their book corner for the second consecutive year.”

The charity Air Ambulance NI (AANI), in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland.

The HEMS team attend patients who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency prehospital care direct to the casualty, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day. The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.

On average, the doctor and paramedic team are tasked twice a day whether that is as a result of a serious road traffic collision, farm or workplace accident, sport and leisure incident or a serious medical emergency, to name a few.

The charity aspires to raise £2.5m per year through continued public support, to ensure that the service continues to be there for everyone.

For more information on supporting Air Ambulance NI in its aim of raising £2.5m per annum, please go to www.airambulanceni.org