The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) Donard Group has raised a very impressive £12,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland with its summer charity BBQ.
John and Jonathan Carson from Downpatrick hosted the ‘bash’ on Friday, June 29.
All proceeds raised came directly from the generosity of sponsors, ticket sales, auction and raffle proceeds.
‘BBQ bash’
Feeding the masses was no easy task but thanks to Morgan Morrison and the staff at Doc’s Fish and Chips, everyone was treated to a delicious steak dinner on the night.
Organisers of the event would like to extend their gratitude to Finnebrogue Artisan who kindly provided the burgers and sausages for the much-anticipated event.
Image source: UFU Donard group facebook page
Dale farm also showed their support for the cause by supplying sweet treats in the form of ice-creams and ice-lollies.
Serenading the crowd of UFU members, families and enthusiasts was rising country music star Richie Remo.
Centenary celebration
The BBQ bash is only one of many events that have been organised by UFU members in aid of NI Air Ambulance over the past year.
To mark its centenary year, the organisation has teamed up with the charitable organisation in a bid to raise over £100,000 for the charity.
According to the union’s website, the charity needs almost £2 million a year to operate. The latest rally on the UFU website shows the organisation has raised over £84,000 towards their ambitious goal.
‘Vital service’
One year since the launch of the initiative the organisation has highlighted its necessity in the farming industry.
According to the region’s Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) around one in 10 air ambulance call-outs in Northern Ireland over the last year have been due to farming incidents.
A spokeswoman for UFU explained that the organisation was supporting Air Ambulance NI because of the “vital service” it provides to the farming and rural community.
On its very first tasking on July 22, 2017, the Air Ambulance rescued a young boy aged 11 injured on in a tractor accident on a farm in Castlewellan, Co. Down.
