FUND-RAISING efforts made by members of a slimming group throughout the year have resulted in a donation of more than £2,000 to a vital service.

Mary’s Healthy Weigh, run by Mary Reed, meets at the Conservative Club on Beaumont Street in Hexham every Tuesday.

It has been raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service through various activities, such as clothes donations and having a donation table every week. This week members of the group were able to hand over £2,065. 55.

Mary said: “I have supported them for the best part of 25 years for the simple reason that we live in a rural area and I know the only way we can get immediate help is through them. We see at least one per day flying over where I live, whether it’s farming accidents or road accidents. We know those boys and girls are well trained and they will be there.”