A FARMER has sold five sheep in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) after it flew to his aid.

Colin Whitfield, 58, of Consett, County Durham, donated the sale of his five texel crosses which raised £500 at Darlington Farmer’s Auction Mart last month.

The father-of-two knows the importance of GNAAS after air ambulance medics treated him after he fell through a building roof while fixing old roofing sheets.

He landed on a concrete floor and suffered a gash to his head and broken ribs on April 1, 2009.

Then, last year, GNAAS was called to airlift a rider from their farmland after a competitor fell from her horse during a TREC competition run by Corbridge and District Riding Club. The event was raising funds for the air ambulance.

His wife Vivien Whitfield, who is a committee member at the club, said: “It was ironic that we were raising funds for the charity and then we had to call them out. Nobody could believe it.

“They are a vital life-saving organisation and crucial in a rural community. You never know when you might need them.”

Mr Whitfield added: “At the sale, the mart waived all fees and expenses so the full sale value could go towards the charity so a big thank you goes to them, as well as the generous buyer who also donated £20 luck money which has also been put towards the cause.

“We hope to do the same again next year as it is a good way to raise both funds and awareness for the charity.”

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, thanked the Whitfields, adding: “Their efforts will help save lives.”

For more info visit gnaas.com.