By Sarah Curran
A GROUP of Bangor pensioners hope to raise vital funds for the Air Ambulance with a charity ballot.
Members of St Comgall’s Friendship Club will be selling tickets to their Big Ballot charity fundraiser in aid of the NI Air Ambulance next Tuesday at the parish centre between 10.30am and 12.15pm.
Members will be selling ballot tickets at three strips for £5, offering prizes including a luxury hamper, bottles of whiskey and more – with all proceeds being donated.
Evelyn Emmett, chair of St Comgall’s Friendship Group, explained that the group were inspired to raise money for the Air Ambulance following the recent bus crash outside Carrowdore.
A major incident was launched on the afternoon of October 7 after a double decker bus, carrying 76 schoolchildren from Strangford Integrated College, as well as the driver, crashed into a field on the Ballyblack Road.
The incident resulted in the launch of the NI Air Ambulance, as well as 49 of Northern Ireland’s 65 ambulances being dispatched to the scene or put on standby, while the Fire and Rescue Service sent five appliances to the scene.
Two children were rescued from the overturned bus by firefighters using specialist cutting equipment, while four children were taken to the Ulster Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Mrs Emmett explained: “When the bus crashed with the schoolchildren on it, you stop and think, that could be anyone’s grandchild or child and it was dreadful it happened.”
She continued that the Air Ambulance was a vital service, particularly along the Ards peninsula, adding that while they were supplied with nurses and doctors, the charity relied solely on donations.
“They rely on charity to get that helicopter up in the air and I think there should be more promotion given to the Air Ambulance as they are doing such a wonderful job,” Mrs Emmett said.
“If we get a bad winter they will be much needed. So for me I think if we can get some money together to help them get in the air, they could save somebody’s life.”
She added: “Hopefully we can bring to the attention of the people in Bangor about the Air Ambulance and they will get more money.
“When that bus crashed, it affected a lot of people – it just made people wake up. It was a wakeup call.”
Following Tuesday’s Big Ballot, St Comgall’s Friendship Group has invited representatives of the Air Ambulance to the Parish Centre on November 19, to present them with a cheque.
The charity will give a presentation about the work they do and a bite to eat will be offered along with tea and coffee.
St Comgall’s Friendship Group meets every Tuesday at the Parish Centre between 10.30am to 12.15pm, offering a space for senior citizens to get together and enjoy entertainment, light refreshments and support.
