A FASHION show organised by a North-East riding club will support a cause particularly close to two riders’ hearts.

The Darlington and District Riding Club is hosting the show at Scarth Hall, Staindrop, on November 3 to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Two of the organising committee, Caroline Baker and June Dent, are particularly passionate about the cause, having both needed help from the GNAAS after being thrown from their horses in separate incidents.

Ms Baker was thrown from her horse on New Year’s Eve 2011 and credits the swift actions of the air ambulance paramedics for the fact that she still has her foot intact after it was fractured and dislocated.

She said: “The area in which I fell was too inaccessible for a land ambulance however the air ambulance arrived within 15 minutes of being called and the doctor onboard was able to re-align the dislocated joint which threatened to cut off the blood supply to my foot.

“Luckily my back was only bruised but it took another six months for me to be able to walk again without support and I really was in danger or losing my foot had it not been for the speed in the response of the air ambulance.”

Ms Dent broke two vertebrae after falling from her horse almost a year ago to the day of the fashion show.

She is still recovering from her injuries and said: “The Great North Air Ambulance did an amazing job in flying in to pick me up and I am incredibly grateful to this organisation which relies entirely on voluntary donations.”

The fashion show will feature clothes from local retailers Zara Countrywear and the Teesdale Dress Agency.

It starts at 7pm, tickets are £10 including a glass of wine and plate of cheese and are available from horsevents.co.uk or on 07889-571111.