Dromore man launches Heli Competition for Air Ambulance NI

Peter beside the Challenger Helicopter lucky winners will get a tour in

Peter Brankerhas been volunteering for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland since it became operational in July 2017

and began fundraising in April 2018.

He has organised many different activities - from street and shop collections, talent competitions to extreme challenges and has already raised over £23k for the charity.

His latest competition style fundraiser will see the winners getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a two hour flight taking in some magnificent sights of Northern Ireland in a Challenger helicopter.

Seeing the impact Covid-19 has had on the fundraising for the charity, Peter explained why he wanted to do this partticular competition.

He said: “I came up with the idea of the Helicopter Tour as I’ve been on a Helicopter Tour of the Grand Canyon and of the Zambezi and Victoria Falls.

“I loved both of these trips and thought what a great experience it would be to do a Helicopter Tour of Northern Ireland and see all its beauty from the air, while simultaneously offering people an opportunity to raise funds for this vital service.”

Anyone who would like to be in with a chance of winning a seat on the Challenge Helicopter for a two-hour tour across the province, can visit Peter’s competition page which can be found at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-branker-helicopter-tour-northern-ireland

Tickets are £5 each and the winning names will be drawn out on Monday, December 21.

The date of the two-hour flight will determined when the winners are drawn.

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

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 25 minutes.

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.

Air Ambulance NI needs to raise £2million each year to maintain this service so public donations are crucial. Fundraising has been severely impacted by Covid19. Anyone who would like to donate, organise an event or could spare some time volunteering, can contact Air Ambulance NI by email at [email protected] or call 028 9262 2677.