Fundraising sisters raise £2,000 for air ambulance

Hannah Batchelor, 19, and Laura, 14, from Boldon Colliery, hosted the event at Elmfield Social Club in Hebburn, featuring a comedy duo, raffle and auction with prizes donated from generous local businesses.

Laura, a pupil at Whitburn Church of England Academy, planned the evening as part of her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award.

She said: “It took a lot of time but we enjoyed it and it certainly paid off. GNAAS is such a worthy charity and one we’d love to support again in the future.”

The pair recently visited the GNAAS’ airbase at Durham Tees Valley Airport to meet the aircrew.

Hannah, a healthcare assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital, said: “It was brilliant to meet the crew and see what goes on behind the scenes. I am a horse rider and I know people who have been airlifted so we thought it was the ideal charity to fundraise for.”

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS said: “We want to say a huge thank you. Donations like this keep our aircraft in the air.”

Guide Dogs UK also benefitted from £500 raised at the night.