BIKERS have raised nearly £30,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Members of Lanchester Centurions Motorcycle Club have collected the total over the past seven years.

The effort started after club member John Bennington, of Cassop, was airlifted to hospital following a motorbike accident in North Yorkshire in 2003.

Mr Bennington lost control of his bike on a corner and collided with a wall, breaking his collar bone and ribs and dislocating a shoulder.

He was flown to James Cook University Hospital, where he spent five days.

The 58-year-old said: “I cannot commend the team highly enough. They took control of the situation right away and made me feel so at ease.

“The pilot and medic joked with me throughout the journey and it took my mind off the pain. They were just brilliant.”

The group’s main fundraiser is an annual Ben Hur rally, a two-day music festival and bike show held at Newbiggin Farm, Lanchester.

It also holds bucket collections, raffles and challenges.

Club secretary Jim Kane said: “Bikers support GNAAS because we know they provide us with an essential lifeline.

“John is testament to their incredible treatment.”

Robert Colgrave, of GNAAS, said: “The group have been stalwart supporters of the air ambulance over the years and we are so thankful for their continued fundraising.

“We could not do without their hard work to keep our helicopters airborne.”