Derry brother and sister receive award from Prime Minister after raising £30,000 for Air Ambulance NI

Two Derry siblings have received British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Points of Light award, after they raised £30,000 for the Air Ambulance NI in memory of their late father.

11 year old Ellie Smyth and 13 year old Harry Smyth sadly lost their dad Peter in a road traffic collision in 2019.

The Northern Ireland Air Ambulance team were the first of the emergency services to attend to their father at the scene, but he could not be saved.

Ellie, Harry and their mother Caroline, have since become passionate supporters of the charity, completing sponsored runs and events to raise money for it.

Harry raised £14,000 via his 12km ‘Harry’s Run,' and in 2021, he participated in the Belfast Dragon Boat race, raising over £4,000.

Following in her older brother’s footsteps, Ellie hosted ‘Ellie’s Ball’ in June 2022, in honour of her dad’s 50th birthday.

The event raised £16,000 for the Air Ambulance, which will fund the service for almost three days and is likely to help six future patients.

Chris Heaton-Harris, the NI Secretary of State, congratulated the young siblings and said they are “incredibly well deserving recipients of this Points of Light award."

Chris said: “In tribute to their late father, they have done outstanding fundraising and volunteer work to help increase access to emergency and life-saving medical care for communities across Northern Ireland."

Kerry Anderson, head of fundraising from Air Ambulance Northern Ireland added: “We are so proud and grateful for the continual support from Caroline, Harry and Ellie.

“They are truly inspirational in their volunteer efforts for our charity, playing a crucial ambassadorial role and contributing greatly to help save lives, brains and limbs.

“Each day the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service team is needed on average twice per day for a critically ill or injured person, and this is only possible with continued support of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Thank you Caroline, Harry and Ellie for all you do.”

Speaking on their award, Ellie said: “I’m so honoured to be recognised for the fundraising and volunteering we have done for the Air Ambulance.

"The Air Ambulance is a great charity and very close to our hearts. Hopefully we can encourage others to fundraise and volunteer for such an important cause.”

Harry added: “The reason we started fundraising was after my dad was killed in a car crash my mum told me the Air Ambulance were first there.

"We have organised a run, a team for the Dragon Boat race and last year a ball in memory of Dad’s 50th birthday. So far, we have raised around £30,000. We are currently planning 5 relay teams now for the Belfast city marathon, this has been our journey so far and many more to go.”

The youngsters' proud mum Caroline said: “I’m so incredibly proud of Harry and Ellie, from such a young age they have been fundraising and volunteering for this amazing Air Ambulance Charity.

“We are very grateful to the Prime Minister for taking the time to write and acknowledge their hard work and to highlight our Air Ambulance service within Northern Ireland.”

Ellie and Harry are the 2016th and 2017th recipients of the Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals inspiring others and making a positive change within their community.