DEDICATED Midlands Air Ambulance Charity volunteers were rewarded for their hard work with a celebratory luncheon at Himley Hall.

The Lye based charity has relied on the generosity of the local community to raise the £6.5 million it needs to remain operational each year since its first mission 24 years ago.

It also relies heavily on the time donated by the 80-strong team of volunteers.

Some of the volunteers’ inspirational achievements were recognised at the recent luncheon, including sisters Yvonne Smart and Cathy Glear, who have raised funds by selling knitted items at Russells Hall Hospital Jason Levy, head of fundraising, said: “It was great to see everyone at the luncheon and the atmosphere was fantastic – there were so many great achievements to celebrate – proving our volunteers really do go the extra mile for our charity.

“Without them, and the countless hours they all donate doing all sorts of work for the charity, we simply wouldn’t be able to carry on saving lives and being at the heart of the community.

"We’d like to thank all of them for everything they do.”

Anyone interested in volunteering opportunities with the charity should visit www.midlandsairambulance.com.