THE AIR AMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 As Chair of Air Ambulants Northem Ireland. it is aKvays an honour to reflect on our achievements each year , but this year holds special significance as we completed the creab'on of our ambitious new five-year strategy.. Saving More Lives Together. This plan for 2024-2029 solidifies our vision for the future, with a focus on reaching more patients, advancing care beyond the poinl of trauma. and supporting not only patients but also their families. This vision relies heavily on collaboration, with our Partners NIAS and the NHS ntral to our SUc$s. Our Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) continues to stand at the forefront of out-of-hospital critical care across Northem Ireland. The impact of our Servi on countless lives speaks volumes, as our highly trained team works tirelessly to save lives and improve outcomes. Betsveen 1st April 2023 and 31 st March 2024, we were tasked on 690 oCs1ons, reaching a major milestone with our 4,OOOth tasking in Dernber 2023. Since our InptIon. we have en tasked 4.600 times. l am particularly proud of our team's ability to provide helicopter support 365 days a year. with 100Yo pilot availability. Our dedicated trustees. charity staff, and volunteers are privileged to be part of such a lifesamng mission. To support our Servi,5 continued SUC5, we have pla(Ed significant focus on expanding our funding. Over the past year our fundraising efforts generated £3,301,228, with a further £765,064 reiVed in legacies, enabling us to invest in staff and strengthen our income streams through Gifts in Wills and Corporate Partnerships. We also extended our calendar of signature events and expanded our volunteer support base, which is vital for sustaining our increasing operational costs. Community engagement remains a key priority, and this year we launched Helimed Ed, our primary school education program. Through this initiative, 6,000 children and young people have leamed about Air Ambulan Nl and the life-saving work we do. Add'On811y, we have bolstered our digital presence and expanded our social media following, stngthening our communications with the public. Vve were also pleased to host numerous patients. fundraisers, and volunteers at our airbase. A highlight was welcoming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in February 2024. His visit offered a unique opportunity to showcase the dedication of our patients. volunteers, and staff. and he expressed deep appreciation for the essential work they do. The visit also afftjrded Air Ambulance Northem Ireland to be showcased across Scottish and Welsh broadcast media channels highlighting the high standards already achieved in our relatively short existence by our excellent Teams. Our Trustees have been instrumentsl in advancing our govemance, with a particular focus this year on explortng options for 2 permanent centre of excellen for Air Ambulance Nl. While these plans are ongoing. we have also made strides in governan training. established an audit committee. and appointed an independent aviation consultant to advise on our fLrture requirements. Our future success depends on the unwavering dedication, courage, and compassion of everyone involved with Air Ambulan Nl. l extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire team and to our supporters for their commitment. Together, we will continue to stsnd ready for those who need us most. To those who continues to support Air Ambulan Northern Ireland. thank you on behalf of the patients we serve now and in the fiJiure. Dr Gerard O'Hare DL, CBE Chair Date.. 28 November 2024
THE AIRAMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the finanual statements and cornply with the charity's goveming document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their 2ccounts in accordan wrth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (effective 1 January 20191" Objectives and activities Noting Charity Commission Northem Ireland's guidan on Public Benefit the trustees remain confident that through the development and operation of an air ambulantE setvice the charity has met all the necessary provislons. The objects of the charity are to r81i8ve sickness and injury. preserve health and save lives through the operation of the air ambulance SeiCe. The Charity ftjlfils its objectives by fundraising for and managing the helicopter operations working in partnership with the Northem Ireland Ambulanc Service INIASI to provide Nothern Ireland's Helicopter Emergency Medical Service IHEMSI. The HEMS serves the lives of 1.9million people across all age groups, supporb.ng the regions diverse community base comprising of rural and urban environments. In the reporting period 2023-2024 it fulfilled its objecb'ves by securing the funding needed to provide the helicopter service and deliver the operational infrastructure. Air Ambulance Northern Ireland fulfil its objectives by lying doctors and paramedics straight to the scenes of injury and illness, allowing for first class pre-hospital emergency care to casualties, as well 8S Potentially considerably reducing the time required to transfer the patient to the appropriate hospitsl. The service 15 operational 365 days a year, for 12 hours per day. The charity operations are based at Lisburn and we can reach the furthest point of Northern Ireland within approximately 25 minutes by air. It manages the aviation contract awarded to the helicopter operator. It procures fuel and other consumables related to the operation of the aircrafL AANI have representatives on the HEMS Management Group which brings together NIAS and all the operational stakeholders in the provision of the HEMS servi. It also equips and maintains the HEMS Operations Office which houses the medical teams at its primary operations base. As a charity. it is responsible for fundraising for the operations of Ihe service, and with a view to ensuring its long- term sustainability. The charitsble activities focus on providing lifesawng pre-hospital emergency medicine across Nothem Ireland. The service is delivered by consultant doctors and paramedics who are delivered to the scene of the emergency via helicopter or rapid response vehide. along with specialist medical equipment The cliniaans bring hospital-level prOdureS 2nd mediunes to the patient at the scene of the incident. These indude sedative techniques and anaesthesia. plus interventions such as intubatt.on when required. which enables the doctors and paramedics to take over a patient's breathing to help stabilise their condition. giving them the best possible change of survival and recovery. Each year the charity sets a business plan for Ihe ft)rthcoming finanaal year, as approved by the Board of Trustees. Performance against the business plan is monitored by the Execub"ve team and reported to the Board of Trustees at each Board meeting.
THE AIR AMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 A¢hlevèments and perfoanCe Signilic3nt activitAes and achievements against objectives (IP Helicopter Operations Between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024, AANI were tasked 690 times to incidents induding Road Traffic Collisions. Falls, Agricultural accidents. Industrlal and Sporting incidents. The Doctor and Paramedic teams work extremely effectively together delivering lifesaving pre-hospital intervention at the scene of each trauma. The medical crew travel from the base in Lisburn to scene by helicopter on 75VD of occasions and rapid response vehicle on 25°A of occasions. The helicopter can reach anywhere in the province within twenty-five minutes. Air Ambulance Nl have a contract with Sloane Helicopters Ltd to provide aviation seTviS which include two AW109 Helicopters, pemianent b8se engineer and iwo pilots, together wtth a relief pilot as and when required. The annual Crew Resour Management training is provided by Sloane, with Technic21 Crew Member training being provided for any new HEMS Paramedics. Pilot availability was 100°A. and helicopter availability was 99 %. (li> Charitable Operationsl Actlvltles This year saw Air Ambulan Nl finalise its strategic plan. Saving More Lives Together for 2024-2029 which solidifies the direction of travel for the service and charity in the Ttext 5 years. As a charity, Air Ambulance aims to inspire support from the people of Northem Ireland to sustsin the HEMS. During this year, the charrty team continued to manage and grow income from seven income streams, oversee and develop the volunteer nthork and raise awareness about the charity and servi. The charity team was stngthened wrth investment in a new post of Fundraising and Donor Supporter who commenced in September 2024 and a previously vacant role of Area Fundraising Manager for North Coast and Glens Commenced in January 2024. Patients are at the ntre of the service and charity and during this year the charity hosted 43 patient visits as well as developing a new patient video lo share the impact of the servi. As well as patient visits, Air Ambulance Nl embraces supporter engagement at the airbase and this year hosted in excess of 500 supporters. In February 2024 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited the base to thank all involved for their efforts. Air Ambulance Nl continues to be well supported by the communty through events and activities this year including sponsored walks. tractor runs, gala dinners, personal challenges and celebratory as well as in memory initiatives. The charity proactively developed and deliVed an events calendar which included a supercar event Dragon Boat Race, three abseils across Derry and Belfast and an increased number of participants doing skydives. Income from donations in lieu of flowers continue to be a strong Sour of support and the charity team continue to develop relationships with fvneral directors in recognit.on of their supporL Over 60 companies contributed in various ways including employee ftjndraising, gifts in kind, sponsorship and corporate donations across numerous sectors, notably agriculture. manufacturing, transport, insuran. retail and hospitality. The charity Helimed Ed primary school programme was launched and saw 40 schools take part with 6,000 children infomied aboutAir Ambulan Nl. This was year 1 of a three year charity partnership with Belfast City Marathon which ComMend in April 2023. The charity succeeded in securing 1,251J participants across the Belfast Ctty Marathon and Half Marathon events. The charity's membership base of regular givers has now grown to 1,419 with 300 member5 attending the annual member event held in June 2023. Research was carried out wilh the agri-sector into a possible product for ease of aCsS to fami sites, with the resulting 'what three words. proving most beneficial.
THE AIR AMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The charity grew the number of voluntsers helping to circa 200. Volunteers have been able to grow the footprint of collection boxes across Nl as well as support al many large volume events such as Belfast City Marathon and Supercar Weekend. This year saw our volunteers recognised at the Institute of Fundraising Awards Ceremony in Belfast. Awareness of the charity continues to be developed with social media profile growing to 70k followers this year. (iii) Operations Base The charity operates from a base at 94 Halftown Road, Lisburn. with a lease arrangement in place with The Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation. Building a fit for purpose permanent base continues to be a priority for the Board of Air Ambulan Nl. A Development Sub Committee of the Board of Trustees continue to focus on identifying suitable land for the pemianent operations of the base. The charity has ident.fied options which are currently being explored. A successful fijnding application allowed the charity to install EV charging points and solar panels in June 2023, with the solar panels assisting offsetting the costs of electricity at the base. Flnancial revlew The business plan for 2023124 outlined an income target of £3m with and an expenditure tsrget of £2.5m. During the finanaal period ending 31st March 2024 the charity's total income was £4,482,740. AANI received £4,205.834 in charitable donations and legacies. Furthemiore interest income of £267,099 was earned from deposit accounts. During this period total expenditure was £2.361.623 which in the main was made up of aircraft lease, operational base set up, staff and running costs. During the year. the Trustees have set aside additional funds in the amount of £2.000.000 as designated funds for the purpose of funding the costs of a permanent operations base and other potential future capital expenditure. On the 31st March 2024. AANI held funds of £13.013,054 which is represented by unrestricted general funds of £5.707,830, unrestricted designated funds of £7,300,000 and restricted funds of £5.224 AANI do not hold any material financial investrnents. ReseNes policy The Trustees have established a reserve policy which is reviewed annually. The policy is intended to ensure the charity can continue to accomplish its aims and to make rtain the sufficient funds are held. The Trustees have examined the charty's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisab-on and established a formal policy which stipulates that free reserves be maintained at a level which ensures that the charity's core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty- Free reserves are defined by the Trustees as unrestrtcted income funds freety available for use as the charity so determines and thereby excludes any fijnds committed. invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity and restricted or designated funds. The chanty's objective is to build up and maintain unrestricted reserves at an amount equating to a minimum of 24 months, operational costs. Based on current activities and expected costs. this equates to a reserves requirement of approximately £5,700,000. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure th8t in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities and meet existing contractual agreements while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. Free reseNes as at 31st March 2024 are £5,646.990. The Trustees conb'nue to strive to maintain a general level of resetves in aordanCe with their policy so that they will be able to continue the current activities of the char-ty-
THE AIRAMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED> FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Major risks The Trustees, in conjunction with the Executive Leadership team. are aware of the risks to which the charity is exposed_ Vlhere appmpriate, systems or procedures have bn established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Internal control risks are minimised through the procedures for authorisation of all transactions 2nd projects. PrOdureS are periodically rewewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the group. Procedures are in pla to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These proiEdures are reviewed periodic3lly to ensure that they meet the needs ofthe charity. Risk is managed through the maintenance of a risk register in pathership with the Northem Ireland Ambulan Ser, under the aegis of a joint HEMS Management Group. Plans for future periods Financial year 1st April 2024 - 31 March 2025. marks Year 8 of Éhe AANI Business Plan with objectives across six str*egic goals.. 1.. Delivering Pre-Hospitsl emergency and critical care in partnership with NIAS 2. Our People and Culture 3. Organisational Govemance 4. Financial Stability 5. Connecting wf(h our Community 6. Operational Centre of Excellence The budget for 2024125 is to achieve income of £3.5m and expenditure of £2.6rn. The fundraising environment this year is expected to be challenging, during which we will strive to ensure funding levels reach at least £3.5m across our seven income streams. Air Ambulance Nl will have a focus on developing the skills, experbse and dedication necessary within our team to ensure we can maintain relationships with key supporters and patients, maximise income opportunities and progress underdeveloped income streams. Extending the footprint of our corporate supporters will be crucial as well as developing a strategy to ensure Air Ambulan Nl is a charty that people are inspired to leave a gift for in their Will. Growing membership of our Club AANI and Junior Club continue to be a focus to help improve recurrent income. We will also increase our events portfolio, continuing our partnership with the Belfast Marathon, organising abseils across 3 locations, 2 dedicated skydive dates and investing in new events. The chanty will continue to develop its volunteer neIOrk to ensure regional reach and maximise fvndraising income and profile. Marketing of the HEMS impact is a key priority with an increased need for further digital marketing and annual plan induding key campaign periods and showcasing patient impact and outcomes. Structure. governance and management Air Arnbulance Northern Ireland IAANII is a Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital and with use of .rnited. exemption. and was registered on 22 July 2015. It was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission of Northem Ireland on g September 2015. It is govetned by its Articles of Association and Memorandum of Understanding.
THE AIR AMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORTI (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Air Arnbulan Nl Board of Trustees is made up of eight Trustees. which includes hvo of the founding Trustees. The Board is headed by the Chairperson and Vice-chairs who are appointed by ordinary resolution, which itself can be no fewer than two in number and no greater than ten. Each trustee's term of office is three years, and they can be re-elected for additional terms at any general meeting following the expiry of their term. Formal board meetings occur monthly. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law. and who sefftd during the year and up ta the date of signature of the financial statements were.. Dr Gerard O'Hare DL, CBE (Chair) Dr David Mcmanus (VI Chairl Mr lan Crowe, MBE (Vice Chairl Mr Mark Beattie Mr Barday Bell Ms Alison Kerr Ms Marianne Johnston Ms Fiona Hanna FCA {Appointed 25 May 2023} Recnjitmenf and appointment of trustees The existing board of trustees has been convened to take account of the skillsets required to develop an air ambulan charity. These skillsets include fundraising. administrats'on of non profit organisations. strategic business planning, public private partnership management marketing and aviation compliance. Organisational structure The Board of Trustees administer the charity. An Executive Team is appointed by the Trustees to manage the day to day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the ExecLrtive Team has delegated authority, within temis of delegation approved by the Trustees. Representsts'ves from Ihe board of trustees meet regularly with principal contractor Sloane Helicopters Ltd, Northem Ireland Ambulance servi and sponsoring department, the Department of Health to coordinate operational activity and enhance exlemal cooperation. The Board has four sutFcommrttees, with meetings held as and when appropriate under the committee Terms of Referen.. 1 } Reward and Renumeration {Chair plus I0 Trustees) 2} Aviation Sub Committee (Vice Chair. tsvo trustees and Executive Team) 3} Development Sub Committee {Chair, plus three trustees and Executive Team) 4) Audit Sub Committee {Four Trustees, Chair by Invite) The charity is a member of the Fundraising Regulator, Institute of Fundraising, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, as AlrAmbulanS UK, the representakn've body for Air Ambulance charities in the UK. Irpduction and training of tnjstees After being fomially appointed, all new trustees are provided with a Trustees, Handbook and undertake an induction process. This indudes an orientation briefing of their legal obligats'ons under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Artides of Association, the committee and decision-making processes of the charity, the annual budget. the strategic plan and the most current financial infoThation contained within the Annual Report and Accounts. Forming part of their induction, new trustees meet with the individual members of the Senior Management Team and other key employees within the charity to learn more about each business area and their ro18s and responsibilities. Trustees are also invited to visit the airbases to meet with aircrew and paramedics to see the operational delivery of the service at first hand.
THE AIRAMBULANCE NORTHERN IRELAND TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Related parties and co-operation "th other organisations None of the trustees re1ve remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charty. Any connection beeen trustee or senior manager of the charity with a contracted supplier must be disclosed to the full Board of Trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a related party. In the current year. no such related paty transactions were reported. Statement of trustees. responsibilities The trustees. who are also the directors of The AirAmbulance Northern Ireland for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the a(Unts in aCrdance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounts'ng practi). Company Law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charty and of the incoming resources and application of resour$, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to.. - select Suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.. - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent, stste whether applicable UK Accounkn'ng Standards have been followed. subject to any material departure5 disdosed and explained in the accounts,. and prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless Itls inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operalion. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts compty with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act (Northem Ireland) 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Audltor In accordance with the company's artides, a resolution proposing that Moore (Nl) LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting. Disclosure of infomiation to auditor Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no inforrnation of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit. but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant informab-on and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information. The Irustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Dr Gerard O Hare DL, CBE (Chair) Trustee Dr David McMdnu-. Trustse (Vi¢e Chairl 28 November 2024