Co Antrim father who turned unimaginable loss into hope raises more than £100,000 for Air Ambulance NI

County Antrim man Paul Ross picked up the Fundraising Volunteer Group of the Year award at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards.

The loss of his daughter changed Paul Ross’s life forever. What followed has changed countless others.

Just over two years after 21-year-old Lydia Ross tragically lost her life in a road traffic collision, the County Antrim father has transformed unimaginable grief into one of Northern Ireland’s most remarkable grassroots fundraising efforts, raising more than £100,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.

The extraordinary achievement has now been recognised with one of the charity sector’s highest honours after Paul’s Sky Blue Ribbon fundraising appeal was named Fundraising Volunteer Group of the Year at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards.

The award celebrates volunteer groups whose dedication and commitment have made a meaningful difference to the charities they support, recognising fundraising efforts between April 2025 and March 2026.

For Paul, however, the accolade belongs not to him alone, but to the thousands of people who have embraced Lydia’s memory and ensured her legacy continues to make a life-saving difference.

A movement born from love and remembrance

Lydia, a passionate Ballymena United supporter who shared her love of the club with her father, died following a road traffic collision on 28 December 2023.

In the difficult months that followed, fundraising was never part of Paul’s plan.

What began with donations made in lieu of flowers and a workplace bun sale gradually evolved into something far bigger than anyone could have imagined.

“It all started really by accident,” Paul told Love Ballymena.

“But nothing’s by accident in this life.”

The turning point came on Boxing Day 2025 ahead of Ballymena United’s derby away to Coleraine.

When Paul arrived at the match, friends from his Block F supporters’ group had surprised him by wearing small sky blue ribbons in Lydia’s memory – and a nod to the football team she loved to support. Members of the club’s backroom staff wore them too.

“It was totally amazing,” he recalled.

A friend later suggested selling the ribbons as a fundraiser. Paul agreed, never imagining what would follow.

The first sales took place before Ballymena United’s home match against Linfield in February.

“It was a wet night and I just stood there with a tray of ribbons,” he said.

“There was no razzmatazz involved. People simply came over.

“I put a post on Twitter about what I was doing and sold every ribbon I had. I had to order more.”

Today, the ribbons have become a familiar sight across football grounds throughout Northern Ireland.

“They’re still being worn today, and it genuinely breaks me every time I see someone wearing one,” Paul said.

“What amazed me most was seeing supporters from other clubs wearing them too, on their hats, scarves and jackets. The reception I got everywhere I went was incredible.”

A community rallies behind Lydia’s memory

Lydia and Sarah

As word of the appeal spread, people from across Northern Ireland stepped forward with ideas, events and offers of support.

BBC Sport presenter Joel Taggart organised four rounds of golf in one day at Galgorm alongside former Northern Ireland internationals and Cool FM radio presenter Pete Snodden.

Supporters completed a sponsored 27-mile walk from Ballymena to Coleraine ahead of another derby clash.

Ballymena man Mark Ritchie organised a Bingo Bonanza at Tullyglass, while The Orangery at Drenagh raised money through a charity quiz night and donations from its annual Christmas Carol Service.

Ebb restaurant in Portstewart hosted a gourmet fundraising evening with chef Derek Steele.

The Irish Guards donated proceeds from a charity golf day.

Ballymoney High School, where one of Paul’s daughters works, organised a large bun sale, while Sunburst in Coleraine, where Lydia had worked part-time and where her sister Mollie also worked, continues to sell the Sky Blue Ribbons.

Businesses, organisations and individuals across Northern Ireland also contributed through countless donations and fundraising events.

One particularly touching tribute came when racehorse owner Philip McBurney named a horse Sky Blue Ribbon in Lydia’s memory.

Football family embraced the appeal

Paul wearing the Sky Blue Ribbon shirt honouring Lydia’s memory

For Paul, one of the most emotional moments came when Ballymena United fully embraced Lydia’s legacy.

The club produced a special white third shirt featuring a sky blue ribbon, with proceeds from sales donated to the Air Ambulance appeal.

“The team wore it in the first match of the season and won 2-0,” Paul said.

“It was just absolutely amazing.”

The Sky Blue Ribbon appeal also received wider recognition when Paul and Ballymena United were honoured together at the NIFL Awards.

Away supporters, rival clubs and football communities across Northern Ireland have continued to support the campaign, reflecting the way Lydia’s memory has transcended club loyalties.

National recognition for an extraordinary effort

Lydia with her favourite player, Steven McCullough

The latest milestone came in Belfast, where the Sky Blue Ribbon efforts received the Fundraising Volunteer Group of the Year award during the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards at the Titanic Hotel.

Hosted by Pamela Ballantine, the annual awards celebrate the outstanding contribution made by fundraisers, volunteers and businesses across Northern Ireland.

Paul admitted the recognition left him overwhelmed.

“Receiving the award was mind-blowing,” he said.

“But we’re going to continue. People are still organising events and coming to us with ideas. We’ve got a big competition coming soon as well.

“We just continue to be blown away.”

He reflected on how the campaign grew from something so simple.

“The very first donation we lodged into the bank from the ribbons alone was over £14,000.

“I’ve always said, and always will, that it all started with those little sky blue ribbons. They captured people’s imagination and became a way of remembering Lydia.”

Paul also revealed another forthcoming donation from the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, following commemorations at the Somme, will take the fundraising total beyond the remarkable £100,000 milestone.

“That’s mad,” he said.

“Absolutely mad.”

Fundraising making a life-saving difference

Beautiful Lydia

Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, said Paul’s fundraising has left a lasting impact not only on the charity but on the people whose lives have been saved because of it.

“I am continually humbled by the support of Paul Ross and everyone who has fundraised in memory of Lydia,” she said.

“Paul has created a committed team of supporters and community volunteers, delivering outstanding income, goodwill and awareness for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.

“Ultimately, the Sky Blue Ribbon appeal has helped save lives by ensuring the helicopter can lift off whenever it is needed for someone in critical need, anywhere in Northern Ireland.

“We wish the Ross family continued strength in their grief. We are truly humbled by their commitment.”

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland operates the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, delivering emergency pre-hospital care to people who are seriously ill or injured across the province.

Operating seven days a week for 12 hours each day, the specialist team can reach any location in Northern Ireland in around 25 minutes, bringing advanced medical treatment directly to patients at the scene of serious road traffic collisions, farm and workplace accidents, sporting incidents and medical emergencies.

Since launching in July 2017, the service has been tasked more than 5,600 times and, on average, the medical team is called out twice every day.

As a local charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland must raise around £3 million each year to maintain the service, making public donations essential to keeping the helicopter flying when every minute counts.

To find out more or support the charity, visit www.airambulanceni.org, email info@airambulanceni.org or call 028 9262 2677.

A message beyond fundraising

Precious memories: County Antrim man Paul Ross with his much-loved late daughter, Lydia

Although the campaign has raised an extraordinary sum for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, Paul believes its greatest legacy is the conversations it has started about love, family and making memories.

Reflecting on Lydia, he shared a deeply personal message.

“People used to laugh at me and Lydia because we were always taking selfies together.

“All I can say to people is keep taking the selfies. Keep making the memories with your children.”

Precious memories: County Antrim man Paul Ross with his much-loved late daughter, Lydia

Despite the heartbreak his family continues to carry, Paul says hope remains at the centre of everything they do.

“Our faith is strong and we know that we will see Lydia again someday.”

More than £100,000 has now been raised in Lydia’s memory, helping Air Ambulance Northern Ireland continue its life-saving work while ensuring the legacy of a much-loved young woman continues to inspire kindness, generosity and hope across Northern Ireland.

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