A CAR dealer has donated a new vehicle to be raffled off by the region’s air ambulance service.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is giving one lucky ticket-holder the chance to win a VW Move up! worth £9,295, after it was handed over by the North-East’s largest independent motor group, Benfield.

GNAAS chief executive Grahame Pickering said: “We hope lots of people get involved and buy tickets for just £1 to be in with the chance of driving away with this brilliant prize.

“The money will be spent on flying missions throughout the region, and will make a real difference to the vital work of our crews. We are entirely dependent on donations to survive.

“Five years after kick-starting the raffle, Benfield have once more pledged to support us by supplying this year’s top prize.

"Since 2011, the annual fundraiser has raised a phenomenal six figure sum for the charity and we are so grateful.”

Second prize is an overnight stay for two at Wynyard Hall, near Stockton, and third prize is £100 cash.

Last year’s car raffle winner was Anne Duffield, from Ripon in North Yorkshire.

The car will be at Skylive Airshow at Durham Tees Valley Airport on August 29th and at other events around the region.

Raffle tickets are £1 each and books of 12 can be purchased from the GNAAS website gnaas.com/shop or call 01325-487263.

The closing date to get ticket stubs to the charity is November 27, with the draw taking place on December 3.