Armoy Races fly high for NI Air Ambulance appeal

THE Simon Osborne Air Ambulance NI Appeal is celebrating an extraordinary fundraising achievement at the 2025 Armoy Races, raising an incredible £15,093.49 in support of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (NI).

The funds, collected through bucket collections and raffle ticket sales during race week, will help fund almost two full days of the charity’s life-saving operations across Northern Ireland.

The remarkable effort was made possible with thanks to Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, The Simon Osborne Air Ambulance NI Appeal, the dedication of volunteers from Air Ambulance NI and the generosity of local supporters, including The Bayview Hotel, The Armada Bar and Restaurant, Brap Moto and Trison McMullan Racing.

Air Ambulance NI provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), delivering critical pre-hospital care to those who are seriously ill or injured.
Their service operates every day for 12 hours, with a medical team capable of reaching any location in Northern Ireland within 25 minutes, responding to an average of two emergencies daily.

Expressing gratitude for the outstanding support, Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance NI, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Simon Osborne Appeal, the Osborne family, and everyone involved in the 2025 Armoy Races fundraising.
“The generosity of the local community and the hard work of volunteers and sponsors have a direct impact on our ability to save lives.

!This incredible sum will fund nearly two full days of our Helicopter Emergency Medical Service - time that can mean the difference between life and death for patients in need.”

Tony Osborne, speaking on behalf of the Simon Osborne Appeal Committee, added: “Our family knows first-hand the vital role Air Ambulance NI plays.
“The support from the Armoy Races community has been outstanding, and we are thrilled to give back to the service that helped save Simon’s life. We thank everyone who donated, volunteered, and contributed to this year’s amazing result.”
The Simon Osborne Air Ambulance Appeal was established in 2019 by the Osborne family of Ballymoney after Simon’s life was saved following a serious motorcycle accident.

!Their ongoing fundraising efforts are a testament to the importance of the Air Ambulance NI service and the local community’s commitment to its sustainability."
Find out more about how you can support Air Ambulance NI by becoming a Club AANI member by visiting www. airambulanceni.org/club
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