Supporter raises more than £10,000 with local newsletter

Peter Leach, 45, lives in a small rural village in Kirkby Stephen called Hartley and has resided there since 2003.

He received a warm welcome from the close-knit community and was inspired to write a local newsletter for his neighbours which raises funds for charity.

He initially intended to support different charities but has now been raising money for GNAAS for 20 years, which in total is currently £10,451.56.

Peter said: “I found GNAAS and thought they’re a good charity and then I kept going with them. It’s a local charity and it’s a good cause, saving people’s lives.”

The biannual newsletter features updates about what is happening in the village and Peter regularly receives contributions from the residents who live there.

He asks for a donation in return for the newsletter and usually raises approximately £200 per issue.

He said: “I have now been writing and publishing Hartley News now for 20 years and I enjoy it a lot and also enjoy raising money for the charity.

“I am over the moon that the residents of Hartley have now raised over £10,000 for GNAAS.”

One of the residents, Mike Sunderland, has lived in Hartley for 37 years and was previously a teacher in Kirkby Stephen.

He said: “When Peter came up with his idea of a newsletter supporting the air ambulance, the whole village was really impressed and for all these years we’ve got behind Peter’s project and we’ve contributed to the newsletter.

“I think everybody will know of somebody who has benefitted and whose life has been saved by GNAAS, so it’s well supported in this area, because we are quite remote and to airlift and go straight to a regional hospital it’s pretty essential when somebody’s got life-threatening injuries. It’s a great service and the community are right behind it.”

Kathy Payne, a clerk of the Hartley Parish council, has lived in the village for several years.

Due to her role, she has the email addresses of most of the residents and subsequently helps Peter get contributions for Hartley News.

She said: It’s been really rewarding helping Peter, who also very kindly uses Hartley News to distribute the minutes of the meetings, so we have a very cooperative relationship and I’ve enjoyed contributing to the news and helping other people to contribute to it.

“GNAAS is an absolutely brilliant cause and it’s marvellous that Peter’s Hartley News is published in aid of it.”

In addition to writing and publishing Hartley News, Peter has been a volunteer for GNAAS for three years and mainly empties collection boxes in his local area, but occasionally helps out at GNAAS’ stall at the Appleby Show.

He said: “GNAAS is a vital service and in our region it is so valued. I think it is very important to support this charity.”