Killarney Forestry Rally – raising funds for Irish Community Air Ambulance – Event to feature start ramp in Castleisland on Saturday February 19

Forestry Rally to raise funds for Air Ambulance

Rally drivers from across Ireland will help fund future Air Ambulance missions when they take to the gravel in County Kerry next month. The Irish Community Air Ambulance has been announced as the beneficiary of the Killarney Forestry Rally. Up to 100 crews are expected to take part in the event in Castleisland which goes ahead on Sunday, February 20th. 

The Irish Community Air Ambulance is Ireland’s first and only charity-funded HEMS Air Ambulance. It works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and is tasked to respond to serious incidents and medical emergencies from its base in Rathcool, Co Cork. 

The Killarney Forestry Rally is the first round of the Irish Forestry Championships and is organised by Killarney and District Motor Club. 

Dermot Healy is Clerk of the Course, he said, “This is the club’s first time running an event where 100% of all profits will go to charity. We are delighted to be associated with the Irish Community Air Ambulance and have been overwhelmed with the response from the local community. Wonderful sponsors have come on board because of the connection with the Air Ambulance. The service is well known in this area and has helped many people locally. However, we want to raise awareness among the entire rally community because you never know when you or someone you love might need the service yourself.”

The HEMS Air Ambulance was tasked to 512 incidents during 2021, its busiest year since the service launched. There were 116 missions in Co. Kerry accounting for 23% of all call outs. Each mission costs an average of €3,500, all of which has to be raised or donated.

The CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Micheál Sheridan said, “We are honoured that Killarney and District Club have chosen us as the beneficiaries of this exciting event. We are always looking for new and innovative fundraisers and partnerships. We expect it will cost €2.1m to run the charity this year which is a significant amount to raise. It is thanks to donations and fundraisers of all sizes taking place in communities across the country that we can bring hope to people when they need it most. Our crews treat the most critically ill and injured patients, often in rural locations, bringing them to the hospital that best suits their life saving needs, not just the closest geographically.” 

The Killarney Forestry Rally on Sunday, February 20th will be based in the River Island Hotel, Castleisland. The ceremonial start will take place at Castleisland Mart on Saturday evening with the first car off at 10am on Sunday morning. 

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