STAFF at Jennings Motor Group are pulling out all the stops to raise as much money for nominated charity the Great North Air Ambulance Service before the year is out.
This is the second consecutive year that kind-hearted employees across the motor dealer group’s Ford, Ford Direct, Kia, Mazda and Seat branches, alongside staff at the company’s Harley-Davidson dealerships and Subway store, have taken part in a number of fundraising activities and events. The company has also given donations, including supplying a new Kia Rio for last year’s annual car raffle and a new Kia Sportage model this year.
The most recent fundraising event took place at the group’s Gateshead Harley-Davidson dealership, where staff used an event organised to promote the new 2018 range to spread the word about the air ambulance service, raising more than £300 in the process.
Air ambulance service chief executive Graham Pickering said: ‘Thanks to everyone at Jennings and all their customers for getting behind our cause with such dedication. We rely on this kind of generosity to survive.’
Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, said: ‘There’s been quite a variety of fundraising activities taking place throughout the year, with everything from a sponsored weight loss competition, staff taking part in the Great North Run and bake-offs to auctions, raffles and tombolas.
‘We’ve still got plenty of other activities planned for the remainder of 2017, as well as the official car raffle draw.’
Raffle tickets to win the Sportage cost £1 each and can be bought online at www.greatnorthairmambulance.co.uk or by calling 01325 487263. The closing date for entries is this coming Tuesday, with the raffle being drawn on December 1.
Last year, the car raffle raised £125,000, and Khan said: ‘We’re urging members of the public who want to contribute to charity and be in with a chance of winning a brand-new Kia Sportage to purchase a ticket as soon as possible. It’s for a fantastic cause.’
The Great North Air Ambulance Service operates three helicopters throughout the year from its bases at Durham Tees Valley Airport and Langwathby, near Penrith, Cumbria. It responded to 1.042 call-outs last year.
Pictured at top from left are chief pilot Jay Steward, Dougie Howes, who is one of the doctors, aircrew paramedic Sarah Graham, Jennings Harley-Davidson franchise manager Burt Perry and Jennings Motor Group managing director Nas Khan
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