A CHARITY disco group has been doing its bit to save lives by raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Members of Night City Promotions, in Northallerton, handed over £500 to the flight crew when the helicopter landed during the Richmond Meet.

The cheque was presented by Dave Bickerton to paramedics Tracy Marson and Sammy Wills, and pilot Bruce Morrison, after they landed below Richmond Castle.

The charity group is made up of 12 volunteers. They hold one disco each month, for seven to 14-year-olds, and give the proceeds to charity.

Mr Bickerton said: "We set up our group about a year ago to give the local children a bit of fun and to help good causes at the same time.

"The Air Ambulance's £500 was raised at a disco held in the Hambleton Forum, Northallerton, on May 16. We all thought it a worthy cause and in need of our support."

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance costs £1m a year to run and relies mainly on donations. It has been saving lives across the county since October 2000, during which it has been called out more than 2,600 times, taken about 500 patients to hospital, and assisted with more than 1,700 incidents.

Anyone who wants to help with fundraising or make a donation is asked to call 0845 120 6060.