A NORTH-EAST tool manufacturer has donated almost £4,000 to a life-saving air ambulance service.

Husqvarna, based in Newton Aycliffe, this week handed over the cheque of £3,965 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Since the New Year, staff have dedicated their time to help raise funds and last month collected more than £1,200 alone from a company-wide bake sale and sale of products.

The firm donated products worth £2,000 in March for an Easter raffle which raised £900.

Husqvarna HR director, Anne-Marie Gardener, who handed the cheque over with manufacturing director Caraline Robinson, said: “As a company, we’re extremely passionate about helping charities within our local community and we feel as an organisation that it’s important we give our staff the opportunity to support the charities which are close to their heart.

“The GNAAS provide a fantastic service and rely heavily on public funding to survive, so we are keen to support in anyway we can, whether that’s through time, cash or product donations. The team do a fantastic job and without them many lives would be lost.”

GNAAS was chosen by Husqvarna staff at the end of last year to be the company’s chosen charity.

Hannah Powell, public liaison officer for GNAAS, said: "The business has quickly become a strong supporter of the charity and we look forward to it continuing into the future. Our crew will always welcome any leftover cakes from the fundraising!”