A man from Hartley has raised more than £10,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) by writing and selling a village newsletter.

Peter Leach, 45, has lived in the small rural village near Kirkby Stephen since 2003.

After being warmly welcomed by the close-knit community, he was inspired to write a local newsletter for his neighbours, with the aim of raising funds for charity.

Initially, he intended to support different charities, but for the past 20 years, he has consistently supported GNAAS, raising a total of £10,451.56.

Mr Leach said: "I found GNAAS and thought they’re a good charity and then I kept going with them.

"It’s a local charity and it’s a good cause, saving people’s lives."

(Image: Great North Air Ambulance Service)

The newsletter, Hartley News, features updates about happenings in the village and regularly includes contributions from residents.

Mr Leach asks for a donation in return for the newsletter, usually raising approximately £200 per issue.

He continued: "I have now been writing and publishing Hartley News for 20 years and I enjoy it a lot and also enjoy raising money for the charity.

"I am over the moon that the residents of Hartley have now raised over £10,000 for GNAAS."

(Image: Great North Air Ambulance Service)

One of the residents, Mike Sunderland, has lived in Hartley for 37 years.

He said: "When Peter came up with his idea of a newsletter supporting the air ambulance, the whole village was really impressed and for all these years we’ve got behind Peter’s project and we’ve contributed to the newsletter.

"I think everybody will know of somebody who has benefited and whose life has been saved by GNAAS, so it’s well supported in this area, because we are quite remote and to airlift and go straight to a regional hospital it’s pretty essential when somebody’s got life-threatening injuries.

"It’s a great service and the community are right behind it."

(Image: Great North Air Ambulance Service)

Kathy Payne, a clerk of the Hartley Parish council, also lives in the village and helps Mr Leach get contributions for Hartley News.

She said: "GNAAS is an absolutely brilliant cause and it’s marvellous that Peter’s Hartley News is published in aid of it."

In addition to writing and publishing Hartley News, Mr Leach has been a volunteer for GNAAS for three years, mainly emptying collection boxes in his local area, and occasionally helping out at GNAAS’ stall at the Appleby Show.

He added: "GNAAS is a vital service and in our region it is so valued.

"I think it is very important to support this charity."

GNAAS needs to raise £8.5 million a year to remain operational and have recently launched a raffle with a top prize of £10,000.

To find out more and to buy tickets, visit gna.as/raffle_2024 or call 01325 487263.