A CHEQUE for over £1,000 has been handed over to the air ambulance by a bowling club.

Olveston and District Bowling Club president Chris Curtis handed over £1,300 to a representative from Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA).

When Chris became president in 2013, he set a target of £1,000 to be raised during his term and fundraising began in May this year.

He chose to fundraise for the charity because of the service it gives in quickly responding to incidents where lives are in danger.

The money was raised by the efforts of Chris and members of the club along with visiting club members contributing to the fund.

As part of the fundraising effort club members took part in a bowling trip where fun fines were handed out which helped raise £120 to their total.

Attending the presentation on behalf of GWAA was Ella Mayne, she said: "As we are a charitable organisation and it costs £2m a year to operate our service, we are very grateful for this donation".

GWAA have just received their new helicopter which now has the capacity to carry four passengers. A doctor, paramedic, patient and for the first time, a companion of the patient can fly with them.

Ella added: "It was very distressing, especially for mothers, if their child was air lifted and they could not go with them".

Chris has been a member of the bowling club for 32 years and at the age of 77, is looking forward to the next generation continuing the work of supporting local initiatives.

Chris said: "I would like to thank everyone who helped raise the money and we are in the process of raising funds ourselves for our new pavilion.

“If anyone is interested in helping us, we would be more than happy to hear from them".

To find out more about the club’s plans for a new pavilion call Graham Ellis, 07984 136490.