Kinecx Energy raises £10,536 for Community Rescue Service

Antrim-based Kinexc Energy raised more than £10,500 for Community Rescue Service – the company’s Charity of the Year for 2025

Five-figure donation supports suicide prevention and missing persons searches across Northern Ireland

Antrim-based gas network operator Kinecx Energy has raised more than £10,500 for Community Rescue Service (CRS), providing a significant boost to the charity’s life-saving operations across Northern Ireland.

A series of co-ordinated fundraising events organised by staff throughout last year generated a total of £10,536, including a match-funding contribution from the business.

The funds will directly support CRS in its mission to reunite vulnerable missing people with their loved ones, as well as helping to deliver suicide prevention initiatives and safety patrols in towns and cities across the province.

Supporting life-saving work in local communities

Community Rescue Service, founded by Sean McCarry OBE, has become an integral part of Northern Ireland’s emergency response network.

As a member of the Association of Lowland Search and Rescue, CRS is the only accredited Lowland Rescue partner locally. It operates six units across six counties and 11 council areas throughout the year.

The charity’s volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, responding to incidents involving missing and vulnerable individuals. The latest donation will enable the organisation to continue investing in essential training, equipment and volunteer support.

Staff-led fundraising effort

CRS was announced as Kinecx Energy’s Charity of the Year (2025) following a staff vote. Since then, employees have organised a range of workplace fundraising initiatives.

These included a sponsored abseil down Ramore Head in Portrush last Spring, while two relay teams took part in the Belfast Marathon in May.

Kinecx Energy’s Mark Stevenson (Director of Business Development) and Laura Cassley (Accounts Assistant) hands over a cheque for £10,536 to Community Rescue Service’s Hazel Gallagher.

Lisa McCarthy, Kinecx Energy’s Transportation Services Business and Planning Manager, and chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, said:

“This incredible fundraising effort highlights the generosity and determination of staff.

“Their commitment to supporting Community Rescue Service demonstrates the very best of Kinecx Energy’s people and the difference they are making locally.

“This donation is going to make a difference, allowing Community Rescue Service to invest in training, equipment and volunteer support so it’s teams can continue to respond swiftly and effectively when individuals and families need them most.”

‘Eternally grateful’ for support

Sean McCarry OBE welcomed the contribution and paid tribute to those who took part in the fundraising activities.

He said:

“On behalf of everyone at the Community Rescue Service, we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Kinecx for having us as their charity and for the amazing fundraising effort.

“Their donation goes directly to helping CRS deliver the vital lifesaving and life changing services that are essential to those in our community that find themselves in crisis. Our volunteers – who are on call 24/7 – could not bring that missing or vulnerable person home to their loved ones without people like you supporting us and we are eternally grateful for this support.”

Impact across Northern Ireland

The donation will help ensure that CRS volunteers can continue responding swiftly when families are facing some of their most distressing moments — searching for missing relatives, supporting vulnerable individuals in crisis, and maintaining a visible safety presence in local communities.

With demand for emergency response and suicide prevention services ongoing, the partnership between Kinecx Energy and Community Rescue Service underscores the vital role corporate fundraising can play in sustaining frontline charitable work across Northern Ireland.