A COMMUNITY is planning a sports day to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance following a crash involving two school buses.

Residents will hold the event at South Moor Community Sports and Community Club in South Moor, Stanley, from 11am to 4pm, on Saturday, August 23.

Twenty eight students and two drivers were taken to hospital following the accident at Shield Row Lane, near the near near the junction of the A693 at Oxhill, near Stanley, on June 3.

A yellow double decker operated by Go North East was taking students to St Bede’s Catholic School,Lanchester, while the single decker Stanley Travel bus was taking students to Tanfield School.

A 12-year-old boy who suffered the worst injuries was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary by the GNAA. He has since been discharged.

Vicky Walton said “Everyone in the town was moved by what had happened, whether they had children at the schools involved or not.

“I came up with this idea of a sports day and set up a Facebook site to get people involved.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response and already have over 100 people joining the group, Stanley Families Fundraising."

Anyone who is interested in helping can contact Ms Walton on 07984114224

Meanwhile, the new intake of year sevens at St Bede’s are taking on GNAAS as one of their chosen charities in its upcoming academic year, starting in September.

The school will hold fundraising events to raise money for the air ambulance and hand over a cheque to the charity at the end of the year.