THE A Team is showing no sign of letting up after raising £80,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The group of fundraisers from Ryedale has clocked up that impressive total since first supporting the charity 12 years ago.

And as team members prepare for their latest event - a jazz evening at Sledmere House - their enthusiasm still remains.

"We are a group of friends and family and we are doing things all the time," said Anne Barron, The A Team's organiser, who lives in Thorpe Bassett.

"There must be about 12 people involved, depending on what we are doing."

Fundraising events have ranged from proms concerts to auctions of promises and cricket matches.

One of The A Team's most spectacular efforts saw Anne and her niece Annie Harrison do a parachute jump dressed in pink.

"Next year, the air ambulance want us to do a zip line over the Tyne," said Anne. "Having done a parachute jump, that should be no problem."

Proceeds from a book Anne has written called Field and Fallow about an old shepherd who lived in a caravan for more than 40 years, also go to the charity.

Other core members of The A Team include Annie Harrison's twin sister Ruth Russell, Angela Wiggle, Janet Dale, Margaret Midgley and Julie Brown.

"I know that whatever I ask, they will do," said Anne.

"Everybody says I call the shots and tell them what to do, but I couldn't do it without them. It's a real team effort."

Anne said supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance had been a natural choice when they started The A Team.

"Sledmere House, where I am on the committee, do a car boot sale," she said.

"When the air ambulance first started in this area, it was chosen as their charity.

"It was a new charity and I come from a big farming family up in the Wolds where accidents happen, so we thought why not make it our charity as well?"

The group's next event, for which black tie is optional, is described as "an evening of relaxed listening, with the gentle jazz sounds of Easy Street".

It takes place at Sledmere House on Saturday, October 24, at 7pm, with canapes and a wine reception, plus a raffle.

Tickets costing £25 can be bought from Anne on 01944 758797.