A GOLF club has donated £13,500 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service after a year’s fundraising.

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club, near Durham, raised the money during a number of golf competitions held during the year.

Club captain Steve Rose chose the air ambulance as his official charity during his captain’s year after one of the service’s helicopters was called to the golf course in June 2013 after a woman collapsed while on the course.

Mr Rose, from Newton Aycliffe, has now handed over the money to Harriet Langston, of the GNAAS.

He said: “My wife Julie and I chose GNAAS as we both believe that it is a great cause and vital to keep the aircraft flying.

“I would very much like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting the charity in so many ways during the year. I have loved it. It’s been fantastic.”

The service, which last year rescued more than 800 patients, relies on public donations for the £4.5m it needs each year to keep the helicopters flying.

Miss Langston said: “They have raised a staggering amount and we could not continue to do what we do without support such as this.

“I believe it has been one of the club’s most successful years of fundraising which is a credit to Steve.”