Based out of North Cork, the Irish Community Air Ambulance is an asset of the National Ambulance Service and responds to serious trauma and medical emergencies when needed.
The charity are urging the public to ‘Buy a Star’ this Christmas to support Irish Community Air Ambulance crew members with their mission to bring hope to those in medical emergency.
There were 42 taskings during December 2020, including one on Christmas Day.
Crews launched 12 times between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve to counties Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford costing an estimated €42,000.
Each helicopter mission costs an average of €3,500, all of which has to be raised or donated.
The HEMS Air Ambulance has been tasked by the National Ambulance Service to 468 incidents so far in 2021.
Since their launch in 2019 they have been tasked to more than 1500 missions.
CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Micheál Sheridan says:
“Our team of pilots and National Ambulance Service paramedics will be on standby throughout the holidays. Whilst many of us will be enjoying Christmas Day with family and friends our crew will be away from theirs and will be available to respond if they are required. Our crew and those working in emergency services work tirelessly throughout the year and Christmas is no exception. The cost to run the charity this year is €2.1 million; the HEMS Air Ambulance alone is expected to cost €1.55m this year. By buying a star on our website you are helping us to light up the sky and bring hope to people in emergency situations in our communities this Christmas.”
Pictured are seven-year-old Adalyn Kenny and six-year-old Harvey O'Mahony from Dromahane, Mallow, Co Cork helping to launch the appeal along with helicopter pilot Donagh Verling. Pic: Brian Lougheed.So, you’re probably wondering how it works?
If you go online to their website here, you can then choose your star amount: €25, €50 or €100.
You can top up with an extra donation on top of any of these amounts if you like.
The aim is that you would buy the star for yourself or as a gift for someone else, and by doing so know that you are donating to a very worthy cause.
You'll receive a card in the post from their Crew, recognising the purchase of your star.
At the same time, they will use the star you’ve bought to help do their lifesaving work.
