A total of 230 runners and walkers took to the tarmac for Air Ambulance NI’s Runway Run at City of Derry Airport recently, sponsored by H&A Group, clocking up an incredible 1,150km between them in support of the charity’s life-saving service and together funding six days of Air Ambulance NI’s critical care.
The unique 5K event offered participants the rare chance to run or walk along the airport runway — coming together to help save lives, brains and limbs across Northern Ireland.
Among the crowd were people who have been helped by the service and are now back on their feet, families taking part in memory of loved ones, and plenty of first-time runners and walkers- all sharing one goal: to keep pre-hospital critical care being delivered when every second counts.
Speaking after the event, Air Ambulance NI expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped make the evening such a success.
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance NI said:
“We are truly humbled by the support shown at our City of Derry Airport 5K Runway Run. Every runner, walker, volunteer, sponsor and supporter played a part in helping us continue our vital work across Northern Ireland. The funds raised from this event will help deliver critical pre-hospital care directly to people facing life and limb -threatening injuries.”
Special thanks were extended to the H&A Group for generously sponsoring the event and their wonderful staff team who participated in the race.
Carlus McWilliams from H&A Group said:
“We were proud to sponsor and take part in the Air Ambulance NI Runway Run at City of Derry Airport alongside so many members of the local community.
Air Ambulance NI provides a vital life-saving service across Northern Ireland, and we are delighted to support a charity that makes such an important difference when every second counts.
It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout on the evening, and we congratulate Air Ambulance NI on delivering such a successful event.”
Particular gratitude was also expressed to City of Derry Airport for providing their unique venue along with the airport staff for their outstanding support throughout the event.
Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport, stated:
“We are thrilled to hear of the final total raised from the 5k Runway Run that will help support the life-saving work of Air Ambulance NI.
We were very proud to have facilitated the event at City of Derry Airport on 25th April, as we regularly welcome Air Ambulance NI services throughout the year, and we understand how incredibly hard their team work to help anyone in need across Northern Ireland at any given time.
Congratulations to the wonderful Air Ambulance NI team, and of course, to the fantastic participants of all abilities who travelled from near and far to take part.”
Air Ambulance NI also thanked ChampionChip Ireland for facilitating the race and ensuring the event ran seamlessly.
A special acknowledgement was given to City of Derry Spartans for bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to the evening, helping the race run smoothly and delivering an energetic warm-up before participants crossed the starting line.
Thanks were also extended to Rapid Relief Team UK for providing post-race snacks and water for participants.
Entertainment on the evening was provided by Eoghan Quigg, who kept runners entertained as MC before the race began, while Momentum Community Choir Derry lifted spirits with wonderful musical performances throughout the evening.
Kerry Anderson added:
“We are so grateful for all of the wonderful support shown by our local community and partners, and we hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Every penny raised will help save lives across Northern Ireland when every second counts.”
Each year, Air Ambulance NI depends on public support to continue this life-saving work, fundraising £3 million annually to sustain operations.
The local charity works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to deliver vital pre-hospital care through the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. The service brings urgent medical interventions directly to critically ill and injured patients within 25 minutes of an emergency call. Operating seven days a week, 12 hours per day.