Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Information => Outdoor News and Events => Topic started by: RedLeader on April 16, 2010

Title: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: RedLeader on April 16, 2010

Quote

An air ambulance charity that collected more than £750,000 has been wound up without ever landing a helicopter.

Last year, a BBC investigation revealed that 90% of the money collected by the Ireland Air Ambulance Charity in its first year went on wages and overheads.

Its recent accounts show it has only £65,000 left out of almost £700,000 collected over the past two years.

It now says that the association known as Ireland Air Ambulance has been dissolved.

The existing trustees and some of the staff have been stood down and a new charitable company has been formed which will retain the old name.

After four years fundraising on both sides of the border, no helicopter has ever materialised.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8623970.stm

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 16, 2010

Thats a timely news article given my recent scepticism regarding "charitable companies"!

It is terrible though because an air ambulance here is greatly needed.  Even if new fundraising is setup I can imagine people being rather hesitant about dipping their hands in their pockets for it given the previous history.

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: RedLeader on April 16, 2010

I'd agree. Sounds like someone needs prosecuted!

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: fatty-arbuckle on April 18, 2010

700k and all they do is close one organisation and open another!?!?

Im going to start N.Irelands first Fire and rescue plane....to put out gorse fires, hire a couple of mates to run it. Pay them a fortune, then dissapear into the distance with no jail time.



Any takers?

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: billy backpack on April 18, 2010

I'm in  :D

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 18, 2010

You boys and helicopters... ::) :P

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: billy backpack on April 18, 2010

Now ..Now .. We won't be going down this road  ;)

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: bill2rhino on April 19, 2010

700K!!! We dont even have air and sea rescue in this country.... If any of us are requiring an air lift off the mournes or any other spot it falls to the brave guys at dublin airport to come up and save our socks!!!!

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: ChuckMcB on April 20, 2010

I take it these are the 'legit' folks:  http://www.aiaa.ie/ if not who?

Title: Re: NI air ambulance charity 'grounded'
Post by: 666_pack on April 20, 2010

Quote from: suspectmonkey on April 18, 2010

You boys and helicopters... ::) :P

I'm saying nothing  :-X