THE company that runs the Stourbridge Shuttle has boosted the fundraising efforts of one of their drivers who has worked tirelessly to raise £100,000 to keep the region’s air ambulance in the skies.

Shuttle driver david Spruce has been raising funds since 2000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Mr Spruce, who previously worked for the charity, has been working steadily towards hitting his target to raise £100,000 and now thanks to a donation from his generous employer he’s done just that.

Pre Metro Operations which runs the Stourbridge Shuttle has donated £3,695 to the air ambulance charity on behalf of Mr Spruce’s long-running fundraising campaign.

A cheque was handed over during a visit by the Pre Metro Operations team to the air ambulance charity’s new headquarters on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border on July 2.

Mr Spruce, who organises Stourbridge’s Military Vehicle Parade, said: “Having worked hard over the years to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity since 2000, it’s amazing that my current employer offered to support me in achieving this milestone.”

Steve Jasper, director of Pre Metro Operations, stood alongside Mr Spruce to present the cheque to the charity.

He said: “For one person alone to have raised £100,000 for such a worthy cause is amazing.

“I doubt many, if any, individuals have achieved this milestone. We are very proud to have David as a member of our team.”

During their visit to hand over the cheque, the Pre Metro team were treated to an extensive tour of the charity’s new combined airbase and headquarters at Shifnal – which opened last November and which accommodates the organisation’s head office function, airbase and clinical operations and community education zone.

There they were warmly greeted by the on-call crew and Jon Cottrell, senior partnership executive, who took the opportunity to highlight the charity's daily operations and the crucial role it plays in emergency medical responses in the region.