MOTORCYCLISTS have helped raise more than £300 for a lifesaving service which is often called on in the wake of bike crashes.

Riders from across the UK helped raise the funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) by donating cash for merchandise.

Wemoto donated pins, neck tubes and note pads to the UK Yamaha Thundercats Owners Group on Facebook, founded more than one year ago by Darlington-based motorbike enthusiast Adrian Smith.

Mr Smith, 67, sent the gear out to members and asked for a donation in return.

He said: “I am very proud of my members for raising this money for such a worthy cause. For bikers, if there is an accident the first person who turns up is the helicopter.

“Theoretically, it is the first point of call.

“As a good majority of our members are based in the North-East, we decided to to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.”

Mr Smith and fellow rider and member Nick Atkinson, of Billingham, handed over a cheque FOR £341.25 to the GNAAS.

Laura Simpson, public liaison officer for the charity, said: “We’re purely reliant on the generosity of the public so we’re grateful for all the support received.

“It costs £4.9million a year to keep the crew flying and unfortunately these costs keep rising.”