Ulster Bank Ballymena team helps raise £155,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

John Ferris, Accelerator Leader, Ulster Bank; Kerri Anderson, Head of Fundraising, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, and Terry Robb, Head of Personal Banking, Ulster Bank.

Ulster Bank colleagues in Ballymena have helped raise more than £155,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) as part of this year’s major ‘One Week in September’ fundraising campaign — delivering a six-figure boost for the charity’s lifesaving work.

Staff at the Ballymena branch organised a series of events including a charity raffle, coffee morning and sponsored walk, all contributing to the impressive total presented to AANI at the end of November.

Their efforts were bolstered by Ulster Bank teams across Northern Ireland, with colleagues from other branches, the contact centre, head office and support teams running their own fundraising activities.

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

Operating 365 days a year, the service brings a consultant doctor and paramedic directly to the scene of serious incidents within minutes. Able to reach any part of Northern Ireland in approximately 25 minutes, the air ambulance delivers early medical interventions that can be “the difference between life and death”.

The service is deployed on average twice per day, and as a local charity heavily reliant on donations, daily running costs exceed £8,000.

Partnership “gone from strength to strength”

(Back Row) Kerri Anderson and Colleen Milligan, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland; John Ferris, Laura Rush, and Ben Tohall, Ulster Bank.

(Front Row) Glen O’Rorke, HEMS Operational Lead; Terry Robb, Ulster Bank, and Dr. Catherine Patterson, HEMS

Terry Robb, Head of Retail Banking at Ulster Bank, said the sustained commitment of colleagues has strengthened the partnership with AANI and deepened staff understanding of the charity’s essential work.

He said:

“Our partnership with Air Ambulance Northern Ireland has gone from strength to strength, and I’m immensely proud of our colleagues who continue to give their time, energy, and skills so generously to this great cause.

“Raising £155,000 is an incredible achievement, and we know that every contribution helps the medical teams deliver critical care when and where it is needed most.

“Visiting the base and seeing the work of the crew firsthand has been a fantastic motivator for our teams and so we also extend our thanks to everyone at Air Ambulance NI for their collaboration which has really enhanced how we approach this partnership.”

In addition to raising funds, Ulster Bank staff have also volunteered through the bank’s ‘do good, feel good’ programme, providing additional support to the charity.

Air Ambulance NI: “All contributions make a difference”

Expressing gratitude for the donation, Colleen Milligan of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland highlighted the critical importance of sustained community support.

She said:

“We are grateful to each of the Ulster Bank team members for their outstanding support.  Air Ambulance NI is the charity that works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. 

“The team are needed on average twice per day and can be airborne in about 5 minutes and provide interventions at scene that can be the difference between life and death.  As a local charity that relies so much on fundraising in aid of the service, this support is crucial.  Each day, Air Ambulance NI needs to raise over £8,000 and all contributions make a difference.”

She added:

“The commitment shown by Ulster Bank staff through fundraising and volunteering has a profound impact on what we can do, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their continued support.”

Members of the public can learn more about AANI’s vital work, or make a donation, by visiting the charity’s website.