York couple raise more than £1,500 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Muriel and Dennis Foster have been hosting events and selling produce from their allotment in aid of the charity for the past 11 years, and have now raised a total of £11,553.41.

Mrs Foster said she was thrilled by the amount, and for all the support they have received from family, friends and neighbours.

She said, as keen walkers during their lives, they had always been aware of the potential risks in the hills and mountains.

"We had to take early retirement which gave us more time to do things other than just giving a donation. We have never had to use the air ambulance but know of many people who have," she said. "Also, I was a teacher and the life of one of my ex-pupils was saved by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance so that makes it even more worthwhile."

Mrs Foster who was a primary school teacher in schools including Wheldrake, Acomb and Haxby, said a car had struck a former pupil side on, when he was on his motorcyclist, and he was taken to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

She thanked everyone who attended the coffee morning at their Muncastergate home in Heworth, on November 20 which raised £1,023.55, and thanked the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies, the Lady Mayoress, the Sheriff and Sheriff's lady for supporting the event,