Recently the groups which organised the Brass Band Concert - Richard Attenbrough and Brian Hewitt from the RC of Ambleside, and Richard Bird and Tim Keegan from the RC of Kendal went to the Great North Air Ambulance base at Langwathby to present a cheque for £3,700 which was the proceeds from the Brighouse and Rastrick Concert.

When we arrived the helicopter was on a mission, taking a cardiac arrest patient from Penrith to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesborough. However it arrived back after a 20 minute flight and we were able to meet the crew, the pilot, doctor and paramedic.

It is a sobering thought that that one life saving mission will have cost two thirds of our donation. They receive no government money at all, and are even charged by the NHS for any syringes or other consumables.

• In October we donated another Shelterbox and have sent £100 to Cancer Care in thanks for the help they gave to Ian Cochrane.
• In July we paid for another Shelterbox and have sent £250 to the East Africa Disaster fund.