TWO local charities have benefitted thanks to customers and staff at Rhug Estate who have raised £700 towards them.

Corwen-based Rhug's managing director Graham Webster has presented cheques to Macmillan Cancer Support and North Wales Air Ambulance, who split the funds equally between them at £350 each.

"On behalf of Rhug Estate I am privileged to be able to present these cheques to two very worthwhile causes," Mr Webster said.

"The cheques presented are the result of generous donations kindly given by our customers and colleagues at the Rhug Christmas Carol Service and in the Bistro afterwards. Rhug staff also generously donated their time to look after everyone in the bistro with food and drink to help raise money for these worthy causes."

Macmillan are there to help those who have been diagnosed with cancer from diagnosis, through the treatment and beyond. Macmillan are there for the family, offering emotional, physical and financial support.

With a widely-scattered population and diverse landscape, many in Wales live in isolated locations, far from a major or specialist hospital. For these reasons, there is a recognised need for Wales Air Ambulance’s three helicopters to be on active duty 365 days a year.

The charity needs to raise £6.5 million every year to operate the service and relies totally on public donations to raise all the funds for day to day running of missions, with each mission on average costing £1,500.

Alyson Winn, Community Co-ordinator for the Wales Air Ambulance in north Wales said, “We're extremely grateful to Lord Newborough, the staff and the customers at Rhug for this donation and their regular support of Wales Air Ambulance.

"This money makes a valuable contribution to keeping the helicopters flying and saving lives in rural north Wales."