Write a comment
A woman from Belleeks whose life was saved by the Air Ambulance has been named the Fundraising Volunteer of the Year at the Institute of Fundraising Awards. The award was in recognition of her work supporting Air Ambulance NI. Hannah Babe, from Belleeks, Co. Armagh, has dedicated countless hours to raising awareness and funds for the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) since her own life-changing experience.
In January 2020, Babe was seriously injured in a road traffic collision while travelling to college, after her car collided with a lorry on icy roads. She was left trapped in the wreckage with multiple serious injuries, including a fractured skull, a fractured pelvis, a broken wrist in four places and a brain bleed. The HEMS team, delivered in partnership between the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance NI, carried out emergency interventions at the scene before she was taken to hospital for further care.
Determined to give something back to the charity, Babe became an Air Ambulance NI volunteer. She has since become one of the charity's most passionate ambassadors, sharing her personal story at fundraising events, supporting community initiatives and encouraging others to support the service. Her efforts have helped raise essential funds while highlighting the difference the service makes to patients and families in Northern Ireland every day.
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, praised Babe's contribution. She said: "Hannah is an incredibly deserving recipient of the Fundraising Volunteer of the Year award. She has taken one of the most traumatic experiences imaginable and turned it into something truly positive. Her courage, generosity and willingness to share her story have inspired so many people and helped raise both awareness and vital funds for the charity. Hannah embodies everything that our volunteers represent, and we are immensely grateful for everything she continues to do."
Air Ambulance NI relies on public generosity to sustain and develop the service, which aims to save lives, brains and limbs. Volunteers play a vital role in helping the charity continue to support the delivery of critical pre-hospital care to patients with serious injuries and medical emergencies in NI.
