A young GAA player, who suffered a cardiac arrest in a Northern Ireland coffee shop just eigh months ago, is backing the Air Ambulance's upcoming charity firewalk event.
Jamie Lynch, 23, from Warrenpoint, Co Down, collapsed from a cardiac arrest while out for coffee with friends in Newry on May 3rd last year.
Quick-thinking locals performed CPR, and his friends called 999. The Air Ambulance medical crew, alongside Northern Ireland Ambulance Service colleagues, arrived swiftly, treated and stabilised him before he was swiftly rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital and brought straight into ICU.
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Thanks to everyone’s combined efforts, Jamie’s life was saved. After spending three weeks in hospital, Jamie’s recovery has been nothing short of remarkable.
Fewer than one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. However, early CPR within 3–5 minutes of collapse can significantly increase the chance of survival, up to 50%-70%.
Jamie is deeply grateful to the strangers and professionals who intervened that fateful day. Having experienced first-hand the critical role of the Air Ambulance, he now feels compelled to help ensure this life-saving service remains available for others in their moment of need.
“I never thought I’d be the one who needed the Air Ambulance, and certainly not while sitting in a coffee shop. But life can change in an instant. I’ll be forever grateful that the Air Ambulance was there for me when it did,” he said.
Jamie shared his story ahead of Air Ambulance NI's charity firewalk event on the evening of Friday, March 28 at the historic Stormont grounds in Belfast. Generously sponsored by Scotts Fuels, this unique event gives you the opportunity for 100 people to walk across 15 feet of fiery coals while supporting this essential service.
For those unfamiliar with a firewalk, it is a unique experience focused on challenge, empowerment, and personal growth. It starts with a one-hour training session on walking across hot coals, which can reach temperatures up to 500c.
Professional firewalk facilitators will build a fire of hard wood logs, which burn down to produce embers, they are then raked down and the fire walk is ready! Participants remove their shoes and step onto the glowing embers, often finding the sensation similar to walking on warm sand or soft eggshells, with many reporting little to no pain. Preparation is simple—clean feet and a clear mind are recommended.
Participants will celebrate their success with a sumptuous meal in the Long Gallery of Parliament Buildings at Stormont, a rare opportunity to enjoy an evening in this prestigious location. Registration for the event including training and post challenge meal in Stormont is just £60 https://airambulanceni.org/firewalk/with a suggested fundraising target of £150.
This is the perfect individual or corporate team building challenge, with mental and physical training provided by UK Firewalk host, Scott Bell, two-time firewalk Guinness World Record Breaker.
Robert Scott from the events sole sponsor Scott Fuels, said: “Sponsoring the charity firewalk event is a meaningful way for us to contribute, and we are excited to see participants take on this unique challenge. We encourage everyone to join in, share this experience, and help raise essential funds for a cause that truly saves lives. Together, we can make a difference!”
AANI Area Fundraising Manager, Katrina Hughes, added: “This year our service is likely to be needed approximately 700 times. Every call needs the support of the public in fundraising, and this is a great opportunity to take on a new challenge. We are incredibly grateful to Scotts Fuels for their generous sponsorship, we encourage everyone to sign up and join us in this unique experience – together, we can save lives!"
Register now at https://airambulanceni.org/firewalk/.
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