ABP has entered into a new 5-year sponsorship partnership with Air Ambulance NI. In a first-of-its-kind branding agreement for Air Ambulance NI, the ABP logo is now displayed on the charity’s helicopters.

The charity, along with partners at Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland. The HEMS team delivers world-class pre-hospital care at scene that can be the difference between life and death. Last year it was tasked on 692 occasions, an increase of 18.5% on the previous year. Road traffic, industrial or farm accidents make up the majority of call-outs for the Air Ambulance NI.

Commenting on the announcement, George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland said, “Air Ambulance NI provides a vital emergency service particularly to those living in rural and farming communities, where agricultural accidents account for up to 10% of call outs. Northern Ireland is incredibly fortunate to be home to this world class service, which has the ability to make a real difference in critical situations. We are delighted to support the essential work of the air ambulance service.”

Dr Gerard O’Hare, Trustee of Air Ambulance NI said, “We have the pleasure of working with corporate partners across multiple sectors, striving to deliver partnerships that align with CSR needs, resources and business drivers to achieve the £2m we aspire to raise annually. There is usually a farming related incident each week which has a massive effect on the individual, family, community, and society. As a leading business in the agri-food sector, ABP has been supporting Air Ambulance NI since the start of the service in 2017. We are extremely grateful to ABP for its significant contribution to the service Air Ambulance provides to the whole community.”

Claudy farmer George Haslet was a patient of Air Ambulance NI in June 2018 following a slurry accident. George said, “I was mixing slurry when I remembered I had pet lambs in with me so went to get them out. I got the first one and then have no memory. I am confident that without the quick services of the air ambulance and fact that they were able to induce a coma at the scene, I wouldn’t be here today. They saved my life.”