Northern Ireland Air Ambulance needed 414 times in last 12 months
The Northern Ireland Air Ambulance service has been needed 414 times in the last year up to July, stats from the charity have revealed.
The Air Ambulance NI released the figures as part of the Air Ambulance Week that runs from 5th – 11th September.
Operational lead Glenn O’Rorke explained they make around 14 missions every week and each of those requires funding of around £2,750.
In July, the Air Ambulance service marked its five-year milestone and has been used over 3,000 times since it was officially launched in 2017.
Of the 3,080 missions completed, almost a quarter were for serious road crashes, 22% for medical emergencies, 19% for falls, 10% for agricultural accidents and workplace incidents, 8% for sport and leisure, 4% for deliberate self harm and 3% for drowning and burns.
The charity is encouraging donations to be made in support of the service at airambulanceni.org
Council approves city centre Transport Hub development
Plans for a new “city neighbourhood” project in the centre of Belfast have been given the go ahead by the city council.
Construction on a new transport hub, which will be called Grand Central Station, started this year. The wider regeneration as part of that project is called Weavers Cross and will include about 1.3 million square feet of building space. The plan will be delivered alongside a private sector development partner.
Translink, which put the plan forward, said it could create space for 8,000 jobs. The Weavers Cross development will include offices, housing, retail and leisure space and a hotel.
New Walking App Launched in NI
A new app has been launched that offers Northern Irish walkers the most detailed topographic mapping of the country allowing them to plot and follow routes digitally around the nation’s loughs, hills and valleys.
From the mountains of Mourne and the Causeway Coast to the Fermanagh Lakelands and the glens of Antrim, thousands of recommended walking, running and cycling routes have been loaded on to it meaning that you will be able to see your location on your digital display and use the map to plot routes, share them, follow other routes, and watch 3D route fly-throughs before and after you have set off.
Ordnance Survey have also put together a list of the most popular walks in Northern Ireland including the Stairway To Heaven in Co. Fermanagh, Gobbins Cliff Path and Cavehill Country Park. Download the free app from osmaps.com
And in Entertainment……
Strawbridge Over Drawbridge
How do you fancy venturing inside some of Northern Ireland’s most magnificent country houses and estates? That’s what James Strawbridge has done in his new BBC One Northern Ireland series, Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge which begins tonight at 8pm.
In each episode the acclaimed chef will be unearthing some fascinating tales of the former and current occupants before cooking up a feast for the current residents. In tonight’s episode James visits Ballywalter Park, home of Lord and Lady Dunleath.
T’Pau star flies in to save the day at big awards bash
Eighties pop star Carol Decker provided some much-needed heart and soul when she stepped in at the last minute to co-host an awards bash after the original presenter was forced to pull out.
Vanessa Feltz had been due to compere the inaugural Northern Ireland Cosmetic and Medicine Awards at the Culloden Hotel at the weekend. But just as she was about to fly to Belfast, Feltz received word her daughter had gone into premature labour, so instead headed straight to the hospital.
With just hours to go to find a replacement, co-organiser Michelle McTernan delved into her contacts book, and having met the T’Pau frontwoman at the recent Let’s Rock 80s concert in Bangor, decided to call her and offer her the chance to host the gig alongside Belfast 247 Radio Presenter Robin Elliott.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Carol said she was happy to help out as it meant getting back to the city. Carol will also be coming back to Belfast soon to appear at The Spirit Of Northern Ireland Awards and also to perform at 80’s Classical at Belfast’s SSE Arena on 7th October alongside Kim Wilde, Howard Jones and other 80’s legends.
Hear Tina Calder’s daily news bulletins on Belfast 247 – belfast247onair.com