THE former Ryedale District Council chairman Councillor Bob Gardiner rounded off his year in office by presenting cheques to his two chosen charities.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Ryedale Charities Together will each receive £2,274.79 thanks to the fundraising efforts of Cllr Gardiner, ward member for Kirkbymoorside.

Cllr Gardiner hosted three fundraising events during his 12 months as chairman - a Burns Night supper at Kirkbymoorside Golf Club, a charity lunch at Cottage Leas Hotel in Middleton and a Night at the Movies evening in conjunction with Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band to raise money for his two good causes.

Cllr Gardiner said was thrilled with the amount raised during his year as chairman of the council.

He said: "I'm delighted to have raised funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Ryedale Charities Together over my time as chairman to support the important work they undertake in the local and wider community. I'd like to thank everybody who supported me by attending my events throughout the year."

Representatives from Ryedale Charities Together and Kevin Hutchinson from Yorkshire Air Ambulance were on hand to accept the cheques from Councillor Gardiner at the recent council meeting.