Charity Partnership
In December 2021 the Grand Opera House began a two-year charity partnership with Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is a local charity working alongside the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide a helicopter emergency medical service. The service requires charity partnerships like the one agreed with the Theatre to help fundraise for theis essential service.
The Air Ambulance can fly to anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately 25 minutes, and the rapid response provided by the charity is vital in emergency situations. Each day this service requires fundraising of £5,500, that equates to £2 million each year to keep the Air Ambulance service operational.
Since 2023, the Grand Opera House has undertaken various fundraising initiatives and audiences have had the opportunity to support this valuable medical service through bucket collections at Theatre performances.
“Grand Opera House staff, performers and theatregoers have a long history of supporting local charities, and I hope our exciting new partnership with the Air Ambulance service will help raise awareness of its work and, more importantly, raise essential funds to ensure it can continue to deliver this lifesaving service for Northern Ireland.”
– Grand Opera House Chief Executive, Ian Wilson
Some of the fundraising activities and events include Grand Opera House staff running in relay teams in the Belfast City Marathon in 2021 and a Festive Craft Fair with all proceeds raised going to help fund this essential service for Northern Ireland.
To find out more about the partnership visit our blog here, and if you would like to support Air Ambulance Northern Ireland click the donate button below.