The charity Air Ambulance NI has raised £18,033.35 from the generosity of the NW200 race fans, residents and visitors to Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart during this year’s street collection, 4-9thMay 2026. These funds will be used to fund missions to those who are critically ill or injured, needing the hospital to come direct to them at scene.
The charity partnership also involved a BBQ event in the hospitality marquee, including an auction provided by Wilsons Auctions, which was gifted as part of the partnership, and raised a further £19,700. As well as funds raised, this partnership with Briggs Equipment NW200 also raises awareness about the importance of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.
Briggs Equipment North West 200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte MBE said: “We were proud to support Air Ambulance NI at this year’s Briggs Equipment North West 200. The response from fans, supporters and the public to both the street collection and Party at the Paddock charity event was fantastic. This is a cause close to many people’s hearts, and we are delighted to have helped raise vital funds.”
Kerry Anderson said, “With a fundraising need of £8,200 per day, these funds are crucial in helping save the lives of 8 individuals anywhere in our community. We would like to thank the North West 200 committee for choosing us to be their designated charity and thanks to our 50 volunteers who made this possible including the agribusiness group who assisted with the BBQ evening. Our charity works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland 365 days of the year. The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, and thanks to continued support is there for each and everyone of us. The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.”
On average the medical team are called upon twice every 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. Since its inception in July 2017 the medical team have been tasked 5,600 times.
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. You can take part in the charity’s upcoming abseil in the local area, Fairhead, on 19thSeptember https://airambulanceni.org/event/fairhead-abseil/
Find out more by visitingwww.airambulanceni.org alternatively you can contact the charity directly by emailing info@airambulanceni.org or calling 028 9262 2677.
