Air ambulance in jeopardy

The team behind a charity air ambulance are making a last ditch attempt to save it.

The fate of the Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) air ambulance is in jeopardy unless €400,000 is secured by tomorrow, Friday, in order to keep the service live and airborne to lifesaving missions across Ireland.

The charity has raised almost €700,000 to date for its helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS), and is asking for further support through its fundraising GoFundMe page Keep the ICRR Air Ambulance Flying.

ICRR Operations Manager Ruth Bruton said: “We planned for 350 missions in our first 12 months based on mission figure from the State-funded Aer Corps Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) in 2018, which saw them carry out 310 missions. In a little over five months, we have flown over 270 missions which raises our estimates to 600 possible lifesaving missions per year. With our increased demand, we need support now more than ever.”

These funds, alongside website donations at icrr.ie and recent fundraising events, have raised more than €30,000 since news broke last week about the impending grounding of the vital lifesaving Air Ambulance.

Ms Bruton added: “The ICRR Air Ambulance has had phenomenal support from the public to date, which we are very grateful for, but we need even more support from the public to keep this service live. Please donate now at icrr.ie or through the special Go Fund Me page.”