Mayor backs lifesaving air ambulance and rural mental health charity in year-long fundraising drive

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with Breige Mulholland, Head of Finance and Operations at Air Ambulance NI and Samantha Booysen, Director of Operations at Rural Support from the two charities he has chosen to support during his term in office.

Mid and East Antrim’s new Mayor has pledged to use his year in office to support two charities that provide critical help to people facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Alderman Tom Gordon has announced that Air Ambulance NI and Rural Support will be his official Mayoral Charities for the duration of his term, with a programme of fundraising events and awareness campaigns planned across the borough over the coming year.

The choice reflects two services that have a direct impact on communities throughout Mid and East Antrim and across Northern Ireland — from responding to life-threatening emergencies to supporting the mental wellbeing of farmers and rural families.

Supporting people when they need help most

Mayor Gordon said he wanted to use his position to shine a spotlight on organisations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives every day.

“As Mayor it is a privilege to have the opportunity to raise money for amazing charities that can do so much for so many people,” he said.

“Raising awareness of the invaluable services of Air Ambulance NI and Rural Support is important and, I hope our community will join me in making a difference during my mayoral term.”

He highlighted the vital role played by Air Ambulance NI, a service many people across Northern Ireland will have seen responding to serious incidents.

“Too many of us will have seen the air ambulance in the sky,” he said.

“While the sight of it creates a mixture of emotions, its presence means someone is receiving critical emergency care.

“The medical crew onboard delivers pre-hospital care at the scene of major trauma resulting from a range of incidents including road traffic collision, agricultural accidents, falls, sporting, domestic and workplace incidents.”

A service saving lives every day

Air Ambulance NI works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the region’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

Operating 365 days a year, the helicopter carries a specialist crew consisting of a pilot, doctor and paramedic, bringing advanced emergency care directly to patients at the scene of serious incidents.

On average, two people in Northern Ireland require the support of Air Ambulance NI every day, underlining the scale of demand for the service and the importance of continued public fundraising.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with Breige Mulholland, Head of Finance and Operations at Air Ambulance NI and Samantha Booysen, Director of Operations at Rural Support from the two charities he has chosen to support during his term in office.

Breige Mulholland, Head of Finance and Operations at Air Ambulance NI, welcomed the Mayor’s decision.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Mid and East Antrim Council area this year thanks to the Mayor selecting us to benefit as one of his chosen charities,” she said.

“The funds raised will directly benefit those in critical need of pre-hospital care and with the service needed by two people on average each day, this is a partnership that will genuinely help save lives right here in our community.”

Backing rural communities across Mid and East Antrim

Mayor Gordon’s second chosen charity, Rural Support, provides assistance to farmers and farming families facing personal, emotional and business challenges.

The organisation works to reduce isolation and loneliness within rural communities while also offering guidance and support to those navigating financial pressures, succession planning, business concerns and mental health difficulties.

The Mayor said the charity’s work is particularly relevant in Mid and East Antrim, which has a significant rural population and a strong agricultural heritage.

“Mid and East Antrim has a large rural population and those who live and work in these areas can require support at difficult times,” he said.

“My other chosen charity, Rural Support provides services aimed at improving the mental wellbeing of farmers and farming families, reducing isolation and loneliness and offering business guidance.”

A year of fundraising ahead

A range of fundraising events and initiatives will now be organised throughout the Mayor’s term, with residents, community groups, businesses and organisations expected to be encouraged to get involved.

The campaign aims not only to generate vital funds for both charities but also to raise awareness of services that many people may unexpectedly need at some point in their lives.

For Air Ambulance NI, that support could mean the difference between life and death in the aftermath of a serious accident. For Rural Support, it could help someone facing isolation, stress or crisis access the help they need before problems become overwhelming.

By choosing two charities focused on emergency response and rural wellbeing, Mayor Gordon has placed community resilience, health and support at the centre of his mayoral year — causes likely to resonate strongly across Mid and East Antrim’s towns, villages and farming communities.