A MAN who sold his beloved motorbike in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service raised £2,590 for the cause.

Robin Winney, of Hutton Rudby, in North Yorkshire donated his red Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Electra motorbike to boost the charity’s fundraising effort.

The 76-year-old retired farmer said he decided to sell the motorbike because he had “great admiration” for the charity.

He said: “I’ve always had great admiration for the Great North Air Ambulance, especially having talked to them at events and realising the huge outlay they have. It’s a very expensive business.

“Also, I’m a motorcyclist and one of their major call-outs is to motorcycle accidents. So I’m absolutely delighted this has raised so much money for them.”

Mr Winney says he still owns a motorcycle, so won’t have to give up his hobby yet.

“I’ve always loved motorbikes and I’ve had some great fun out of this one but I’m quite prepared to let it go to raise some funds for this great service,” he said.

Mark Turnbull, director of Ultimate Moto in Boldon, Tyne and Wear, came forward to help sell the bike and the pair recently made a visit to the aircraft’s base at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Mr Turnbull said: “They are a real asset to the North-East and they often help bikers so we wanted to show our full support. I’m sure there are many people who wouldn’t be here now without the air ambulance.”

The service operates three aircraft across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and carries out around 1,000 life-saving missions every year.

Paul Burnage, service paramedic and a keen biker himself, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Robin - his donation is a phenomenal gesture, and certainly unique.

"We are incredibly grateful for his help. Mark helped to get the best price which means more funds for our aircraft.

"Thanks to people like them, we are able to keep flying.”