EVENTS ranging from a Vegas themed party night to a sponsored bike ride helped workmates boost a charity's coffers after they were inspired by its lifesaving work.

Staff at Bishop Auckland-based training company Learning Curve Group raised £14,200 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Brenda McLeish, chief executive officer of Learning Curve Group (LCG), said: “Our staff were truly inspired by the lifesaving work GNAAS carries out on a daily basis and they responded by raising this incredible amount.

“It’s gratifying to know that the money raised will help the service continue to make a vital difference to so many.”

Staff came up with a host of imaginative ideas for a year of fundraising in aid of the charity.

They raised more than £9,500 with a themed Vegas Nights charity ball at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield, while a charity cycle ride between LCG’s Yorkshire Skill Centres in Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield netted a further £600.

Other events included dress-down days, quiz and curry nights, a company tuck-shop and a number of staff were sponsored to take part in the Great North Run.

Greg Chapman, head of quality enhancement, ran a half marathon while director of business support Nicole Bewley and Lisa Beattie, the procurement and contracting coordinator, made £690 by cycling 66 miles in London’s Ride the Night event.

In recognition of their hard work, GNAAS invited some of the LCG team to view an air ambulance and meet the crew at its Durham Tees Valley Airport base.

Charity chief executive Grahame Pickering said: “We invited Learning Curve Group down to our base in recognition of the team raising this remarkable sum.

“It was clear from the outset that they were dedicated to the cause but none of us expected to see such an incredible amount raised. For all the energy put into this fundraising, not to mention all the donations, we’d just like to say a big thank you to all involved. As a charity, we simply couldn’t do without you.”

  • GNAAS operates three helicopters with specialist trauma doctors and paramedics across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and responds to more than 1,000 callouts a year.