KIND-HEARTED masons in York have donated £250 to keep the Yorkshire Air Ambulance flying high.

Member of the Alcuin Masonic Lodge have collected £1,000 during the year, which has been spit between the air ambulance and three other charities.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which costs £1m a year to run and relies predominantly on voluntary donations, has benefited along with St Leonard's Hospice in York, the Special Care Baby Unit at York Hospital and Dales School, Morton-on-Swale.

Charity steward Ray Theakston said: "We heard the Yorkshire Air Ambulance was in need of financial help to enable it to continue, so we decided to help."

Geoff Farnsworth, Master of the Lodge, added: "Every year the masons nationally support a charity or good cause, which the Alcuin Lodge always participates in.

"In addition, we also like to do something to help local charitable organisations, like the Yorkshire Air Ambulance."

The helicopter, which is based at Leeds Bradford Airport, has been saving lives across the county since October 2000, during which time it has been scrambled more than 2,600 times, carried about 450 patients to hospital and assisted with more than 1,700 incidents.

To help with fundraising or make a donation, please phone the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity Office on 0845 120 6060.

Updated: 10:45 Monday, April 21, 2003