TWO charities are £9,500 better off thanks to the fundraising efforts of Ryedale District Council’s former chairman.

During her year of office, Coun Natalie Warriner managed to gather the impressive sum through a variety of events including a student fashion show and a garden fete.

At Thursday's full council meeting she presented the cheques to Andy Crossley from the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, who received £3,500, and Bob Smales from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who was handed £6,000.

She said: “Both organisations do terrific work in Ryedale and are vital to both residents and visitors to the area. This is my way of showing our appreciation of their life-saving efforts.”