A LUXURY hotel has raised more than £15,000 for an air ambulance charity with a series of events.

Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, chose the Great North Air Ambulance Service as its charity of the year for 2012, raising £15,484 in total.

The money was raised by hosting charity balls, sports event fundraisers, prize donations, and a contribution from the cycling group Rockliffe Riders, who completed a 147-mile Coast to Coast ride from West Cumbria to Sunderland.

Nick Holmes, managing director of Rockliffe Hall, presented the cheque to GNAAS patron and ITV Tyne Tees presenter Pam Royle.

Mr Holmes said: “This is an immense amount of money we have raised for this amazing North-East charity. The generosity of our guests, staff and other local companies has been overwhelming.”

Ms Royle added: “The GNAAS offers a unique service, saving the lives of people all over the North, but has to rely on donations and public support to keep it running.

“It’s so encouraging when prominent regional businesses, support the charity so enthusiastically especially when so much money is raised.”