A KIRKBURTON man was today helping to launch a major fundraising drive for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Peter Sunderland, 62, became a trustee for the Leeds-based charity last year.
He took on the post last year after he retired as a director of the RMC Group, now subject to a multi-million-pound takeover deal.
His role involves raising cash and awareness for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which relies entirely on gifts to meet its £1m- a-year running costs.
Today - National Air Ambulance Day - Mr Sunderland was helping to launch the charity's Tea For Two Million appeal at Bishopthorpe Palace near York.
The appeal aims to get people all over Yorkshire to hold a tea party to raise money.
Taylors of Harrogate are providing free tea and biscuits kits to people arranging such events.
The firm is also hosting a finale tea party at Betty's tea rooms in Harrogate at the end of October.
Already, unusual events like Mad Hatter's Tea Parties, celebrity tea parties and even underwater tea parties have been organised.
The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, was introducing the appeal at Bishopthorpe Palace and Mr Sunderland was speaking about the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
He said earlier: "There are a lot of people still unaware of what the air ambulance does. They don't know it's a charity.
"People tend to get involved when it has helped someone they know," he added.
"There have been some really moving stories and I will relate some of those at the launch in York."
Mr Sunderland is a former president of Huddersfield Choral Society and the current subscription secretary. He is married with a family.
To get your free tea pack phone 0845 120 6060.
For more information about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, ring Martin Eede on 07709 642517 or Pam Thornes on 07900 246019.
