The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society has presented a cheque for £20,450 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
The money was raised in June at a ‘150 and Beyond’ themed farm walk, hosted by the Doyle family from Cookstown, to celebrate the 150th volume of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society’s herd book. This was the first in a series of UK-wide events to mark the historic milestone.
Upwards of 300 visitors from throughout the UK and Ireland visited the noted 60-cow Drumhill herd, founded in 2008.
The evening event featured a farm walk, trade stands and a knowledge transfer hub, followed by a delicious steak BBQ and charity raffle and auction.
Jonathan, Lisa, Jessica and Jack Doyle were humbled by the support.
Jonathan Doyle said: “We were overwhelmed by the interest in our herd. The event was huge success and raised a phenomenal amount of money for our chosen charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
“We are indebted to our sponsors and everyone who contributed to the success of the event. Thanks also to Dungannon auctioneer, Trevor Wylie, and the various companies and individuals who donated items our charity auction and raffle.”
Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society president, Alan Morrison from Maguiresbridge, congratulated the Doyle family on a fantastic event and a tremendous display of quality cattle. “It was a privilege to kick off the society’s series of ‘150 and Beyond’ events in Northern Ireland.
The cheque for £20,450 was presented to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland ‘s Tom Hadden and Kerry Anderson, at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual Calf Show, held at Dungannon.
Kerry Anderson said: “On behalf of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, I would like to thank the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society for its generous support in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the herd book.
“The event was clearly very successful, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their ‘live saving’ generosity. As a local charity, Air Ambulance NI aspires to raise £3 million annually to maintain and sustain this service. Public donations are crucial and we are very grateful for the support.”
The Air Ambulance NI charity, 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.
The HEMS team attends to patients who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency pre-hospital care directly to the casualty with the aim of saving lives, brains, and limbs. The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.
On average, the medical team is 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.
