Laverty to wear Air Ambulance badges at Spanish Grand Prix

The campaign for the Air Ambulance was sparked last year by Dr John Hinds and Laverty has actively expressed his backing for the charity since then.

The rider ran a tribute helmet to his friend at the German MotoGP round last season and will take it a step further this year in Jerez.

Laverty said: “We’re moving ever closer to having an air ambulance in Northern Ireland and the project has really gathered momentum this year.

“It’s important to keep it fresh in everyone’s mind in order to achieve Doctor John Hinds’ goal of bringing an air ambulance to Northern Ireland.

“We’re almost there now and to once again raise awareness I will race with the ‘Air Ambulance NI’ logo on my leather suit this weekend in Jerez.

“So many people are working hard back home to make this vision a reality and I’m proud to have the opportunity to help out.

“Last year my sponsor Shoei was incredibly helpful in producing a replica of John Hinds’ helmet for me to use at the German Grand Prix.

“I’m very fortunate to have great sponsors in both Shoei and Alpinestars who have added the “Air Ambulance NI” logo to my race suits in preparation for the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez this weekend.”

Ian Crowe, the chairman of the AANI, has expressed his gratitude to Laverty.

“The Trustees of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland would like to thank Eugene Laverty for his recognition and support of the Charity.

“We particularly want to thank him for his kind offer to promote the Charity and the urgent need for an Air Ambulance in Northern Ireland.”

Laverty will be attending the NW200 as a spectator in May , where they are hoping to have the air ambulance up and running in time for the famous Irish road race, with event director Mervyn White saying that hopefully the race will also be an important opportunity to raise much-needed funds for the charity.

“Over the past two years, we’ve had a requirement to bring in an air ambulance from various places to the event, after having a couple of serious incidents.

“This year, we’re really hoping that we’ll have the ambulance on hand.”