Ulster Bank launches annual fundraising drive for Air Ambulance NI

Ulster Bank’s annual fundraising campaign 'One Week in September', in support of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI), will be officially launched on Monday, September 15.

This year’s programme is packed with fundraising events and staff-led initiatives designed to raise vital funds for the charity, which provides critical lifesaving pre-hospital care across Northern Ireland. Activities include street collections, coffee mornings, “soak the boss,” and quiz nights, taking place right across Northern Ireland.

In the lead up to the week, colleagues also organised their own version of popular online game show, ‘Hot Ones’ featuring Hope Street and former Coronation Street actor, Kerri Quinn. And held a ladies cinema night which brought in over £6,000 for the charity.

Events so far have set the tone for what promises to be a great week of engagement and collaboration and a very successful campaign for the Air Ambulance charity as colleagues hope to surpass the 2024 fundraising total.

Many of the fundraisers will take place in Ulster Bank branches across Northern Ireland with customers encouraged to support the team’s effort to raise as much money and awareness as possible for the Air Ambulance, which became the bank’s official charity partner earlier this year.

Terry Robb, Head of Retail Banking at Ulster Bank, says colleagues are determined to raise the bar and support the charity as best they can.

“One Week in September is a fantastic initiative where we come together and try to make a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work. We have a new charity partner on board this year in the Air Ambulance NI, and colleagues are determined to dig deep and work in their local communities to do everything they can to raise funds for this worthy cause.

“What makes this partnership so successful is that it extends far beyond fundraising. Colleagues from teams right across the bank have sharing their expertise with the AANI team through delivering financial foundations workshops, providing HR and risk consultancy services, holding presentation skills training seminars, and offering first aid awareness sessions, activities which have helped to cement the partnership and make it so engaging for our teams.

“The campaign may only last for one week, but in truth our relationship with the AANI is an ongoing one and throughout the year, we have been fortunate to visit the Air Ambulance premises and familiarise ourselves with all of the operations needed to enable this fantastic charity to continue with their great work.”

Colleen Milligan, Business Development Manager at Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, who has worked closely with Ulster Bank this year said: “Air Ambulance NI relies on partnerships like this to keep our helicopter service operational.

"We are grateful to Ulster Bank for their fundraising efforts, but also for the practical support and training that makes a real difference to our staff and helps us keep our services running for the two individuals in Northern Ireland who find themselves in critical need of AANI every day.”

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One Week in September officially launches on Monday, September 15 with activities taking place across Northern Ireland. All funds raised will go directly to Air Ambulance NI, helping to ensure this lifesaving service continues to be operational.

For details of events happening near your or information on how to support the campaign, search Ulster Bank’s social media channels.