Cumbrian businesses Orian Solutions and Cumbria Waste Group have announced the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) as their first chosen charity for 2020.

The year-long partnership will see the sister companies working in collaboration to organise a range of activities and events, with all funds raised being pooled and donated to the GNAAS.

Representatives from both companies visited the charity’s air base in Langwathby to meet the paramedics and pilots responsible for carrying out the region’s intrepid rescue missions.

They were also given further insight into the different ways that donations ensure the charity can operate and save as many lives as possible.

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, in 2019 the organisation managed to provide vital services to 1680 call outs.

Lee Salmon, GNAAS critical care paramedic, said: “It’s a tremendous privilege working for GNAAS and it’s great to have Cumbria Waste Group and Orian Solutions Ltd choose GNAAS as their Charity of the Year.

“We are completely reliant on public donations and last year we needed to raise £5.3 million to remain operational.

“So we are hugely grateful for their support.”