An energetic team of 20 runners are preparing to undertake the upcoming Lisburn 10k Road Race to help raise awareness of, and funds for, the charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI).

The team, which is made up of representatives from Doctors and Paramedics from the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), the air ambulance aviation team, AANI staff and members from NIAS will run the 10k race.

Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising for Air Ambulance NI, said: “We are delighted that so many of the team, who already do so much for the charity, have decided to support AANI in this way. We need to raise £2million each year to maintain this service so all donations are crucial.

“Any one of us might have a need for the air ambulance so it is vital that we keep this service going. Each day we need to raise in the region of £5,500 to keep the service operational so every little bit really does go a long way and helps keep us in the air. We have plenty of opportunities for people to get involved – whether it is organising a fundraising event, donating or joining our membership group, Club AANI – so we hope that those who can support us will do so.”

AANI, working in partnership with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and responds to severely ill or injured patients, seven days a week, for twelve hours a day. From its base in Lisburn it can reach any part of Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes. The service’s primary role is to deliver advanced critical care, benefitting those whose lives are at serious risk following significant injury or trauma by bringing urgent medical assistance directly to the patient at the scene.