A Co Londonderry care home has raised over £3,000 for Air Ambulance NI in memory of a 15-year-old who died after after car crash.
Candice Tosh, who was 15, was critically injured after being struck on the Dunhill Road in Macosquin last November.
She died in hospital shortly afterwards, after a decision was made for the Air Ambulance to divert to the Royal Victoria Hospital allowing her family to say goodbye to her while also giving them time to consider organ donation.
Candice’s aunt, Jeanette, who works at Ratheane Care Home in Coleraine, expressed gratitude to Air Ambulance NI for allowing the family to say goodbye to Candice and decided to hold a fundraiser for the charity.
She also said that Candice was ultimately able to save other lives by being an organ donor, thanks to the Air Ambulance’s assistance.
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The management team at Ratheane Care Home said: “We decided to fundraise for Air Ambulance NI after learning about just how much funds it takes to get the helicopter off the ground each day. Coming together to host our anniversary party in memory of Candice brought a bit of purpose to our colleagues during a heartbreaking time.”
Approximately 7,500 people in the UK are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Candice’s organ donation helped to save lives, and Ratheane Care Home continued her legacy by raising £3,400 in her memory.
It costs an average of £6,850 per day to maintain the services of Air Ambulance NI and the charity has said the donation will “directly help other critically ill or injured patients when time is of the essence.”
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at the charity, added: “We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who got involved in the special fundraising day to honour Candice’s memory. Your generosity and willingness to help others in the face of tragedy is humbling and will help a future patient in need of the Air Ambulance.
“It is only with continued support from local communities that the air ambulance service is able to continue and be there for everyone who needs it.”