Call made for air ambulance investigation

A former lord mayor in Northern Ireland has called for the new Charities Commission to investigate a fundraising campaign by Ireland Air Ambulance (IAA) which earlier this week admitted to spending 90% of its first year income on fundraising and administration.

Former Ards Council mayor Alderman Ronnie Ferguson said their council considered setting up an air ambulance several years ago, but decided it wasn't feasible.

Alderman Ferguson, said questions needed to be answered.

"We had looked at all this going back nine years ago before this charity was actually formed," he said.

"But the figures didn't stack up and certainly there needs to be some investigation by the new Charities Commission."

The Charities Commission recently appointed commissioners but as yet does not have any staff.

In a statement, IAA said that in order to ensure that air ambulances charities build a sustainable and stable income year after year, they need to develop both the fundraising programs required to raise finances, as well as running an emergency service.

It is understood that IAA has hired a PR agency to help present its case.

Meanwhile, a Northern Ireland man who raised over £20,000 for the charity in a cross border biking event has said he is not prepared to hand over the money until he is satisfied about financal matters related to the charities activities.

www.irelandairambulance.org