ONE lucky punter has won a new car in a charity’s annual raffle.

The winner of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) draw, a man from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, will drive away in a Ford Fiesta following Monday’s (December 3) draw.

Darlington mayor Paul Baldwin conducted the draw, which was also attended by Tom Robson, managing director of Tyneside engineering firm Roflow, which donated the car.

Mr Robson’s late mother was once airlifted by GNAAS.

Ruth Davey, from the charity, said a total of 126,700 tickets were sold at £1 each, with an additional £17,332 being donated along with tickets sales.

The total of £144,032 beat last year’s by nearly £18,000.

The money will be spent on supporting the work of the three GNAAS aircraft across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Ms Davey added: “We are so grateful that everyone supported this year’s raffle, even though times are tough.

“We didn’t think we could better last year’s total but we have, and that is down to the phenomenal support of the public.

“Thanks also to Tom Robson and Roflow for sponsoring the car and selling thousands of tickets at events throughout the region. This wouldn’t have been possible without him.”

Mr Robson said: “I am just happy to have been able to continue my association with this magnificent charity by helping out in this way.”

The car will be taken to Sedgefield Racecourse at next Tuesday’s Christmas Raceday where it is hoped the winner will be present to accept the keys to their new vehicle.

The first prize was won by ticket number 431420 from Northallerton, the second prize of an overnight stay for two was won by ticket number 117547 from Morpeth and the third prize of £100 was won by ticket number 617596 from Carlisle.