Member Article

5* Fundraising nets thousands for GNAAS

Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington, has announced its fundraising total for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) for 2012.

Staff and guests at the 5* resort raised over £15,484 throughout the year for the nominated charity by holding balls, fundraising sporting events and by making prize donations.

One of the biggest fundraisers was the ‘Rockliffe Riders’ Coast to Coast challenge which saw a group of cyclists complete the gruelling 147 miles from West Cumbria to Sunderland. Another team will again take part in the challenge this September as the resort continues with its support of the GNAAS.

In addition, Rockliffe Hall’s Anniversary Ball, held in December to mark the resort’s 3rd anniversary, raised around £7000 thanks to the generosity of guests who bid for auction prizes such as cooking lessons, golf coaching and the chance to spend the day with a BBC football commentary team.

Managing director of Rockliffe Hall, Nick Holmes, recently handed over the cheque for £15,484 to Pam Royle, GNAAS patron and ITV Tyne Tees presenter.

Nick said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated to the GNAAS- this is an immense amount of money to have raised for this amazing, North East charity. The generosity of our guests, staff and other local companies has been overwhelming and I am really privileged to be able to hand over the cheque which I know will make such a difference.”

The GNAAS is a charity operating without Government funding, relying entirely on public donations to support its three aircraft stationed across its two bases at Durham Tees Valley Airport, near Darlington, and at Langwathby, near Penrith in Cumbria.

The team provides the highest standards of pre-hospital care at an accident scene and then flies the patient to the hospital best-suited to their needs.

Pam Royle added: “The GNAAS offers a unique service, saving the lives of people all over the North. But it receives no Government money and has to rely on donations and public support to keep it running. It’s so encouraging when prominent regional businesses, such as Rockliffe Hall, support the charity so enthusiastically especially when so much money is raised.”

Mandy Drake, deputy director of the GNAAS, added: “This is an outstanding amount of money raised by Rockliffe Hall and we’re so very grateful to everyone who contributed. Our lifesaving aircraft rely totally on donations so this is such a boost to our coffers and I am so pleased that Rockliffe will continue working with us in 2013.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .