I am undertaking the Woodside Depot Trek Challenge 2022, which will see me undertake the ultimate challenge. Running a 10K from Maghaberry Village to the Air Ambulance NI Base, where I will mount my bike and cycle the 28 miles to Newcastle, Co-Down. Swapping my bikes for walking boots, I will embark on the 4 hour climb and decent of Slieve Donard Mountain, and finish the challenge by cycling the 28 miles back to the Air Ambulance NI base.

Air Ambulance NI, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the region. Serious or lifethreatening situations can happen to anyone at any time and on average, every single day in Northern Ireland, one individual finds themselves in desperate need of AANI. The charity’s operational helicopter carries a crew compiling pilot, doctor, and paramedic, 365 days of the year operating for twelve hours every day. They attend some of the most traumatic medical incidents across the province and are dedicated to delivering the very best possible prehospital care, both at the scene and whilst transferring the patient to the most appropriate hospital for their specific injuries. Their EC135 helicopter can get anywhere in the province in approximately twenty-five to thirty minutes and the rapid response is vital in an emergency situation. If a patient reaches hospital within the Golden Hour (60 minutes after their injury) their chances of survival are dramatically increased. What is not widely known is that AANI is a charity. Each day costs in the region of £5,500 and £2m is needed each year to keep the air ambulance service operational.