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A Guitar-a-thon in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland will take place at Buttercrane Shopping Centre in Newry on Saturday 21 November. The event is being organised by Warrenpoint guitar teacher and musician Adrian Curran, whose life was saved following a cardiac arrest on 9 April 2025.
Local guitarists, singers and musicians will perform from 9am until 5pm with the aim of keeping guitar-based music going throughout the eight-hour event, with local performers taking turns and playing together to entertain shoppers while encouraging donations. Everyone is welcome to stop by Buttercrane on the day and support the musicians and the charity.
Adrian suffered a cardiac arrest while working at Southern Regional College’s Banbridge campus. He received life-saving CPR before being transferred by Air Ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he was admitted to intensive care. Subsequent treatment included having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted.
For Adrian, the Guitar-a-thon is an opportunity to turn his gratitude into something positive for others.
“The students and staff at SRC Banbridge, the emergency responders, the Air Ambulance team and the hospital staff all played such an important part in helping me,” he said.
“I’ll always be grateful to everyone involved. The Air Ambulance helped save my life, and music is something I can use to help give something back.”
Adrian also spoke about the support from other musicians.
“This is very much a community effort,” Adrian added. “It’s lovely to see musicians giving their time to support the cause. We’d love people to call in, enjoy some music and donate whatever they can.”
Donations can be made before, during and after the event at www.justgiving.com
