KIND-hearted staff and customers from the Black Country and North Worcestershire Wilko branches have raised more than £16,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Throughout the past year, the charity has been the nominated cause of the region’s homeware stores based in Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Redditch and Droitwich.

Since 1991, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has responded to more than 42,000 missions and this donation will help them fund at least seven lifesaving outings, as each one costs £2,500.

Sofia Voutianitis, corporate partnerships manager at Midlands Air Ambulance, said: “The support we have received from Wilko’s continues to help save dozens of lives across the midlands.

“In-store and staff fundraising initiatives have not only helped to raise money to support our vitally important service, but also awareness of our charitable status with the local communities we serve, which we are forever grateful for.

“The money raised, thanks to the kindness of the team and Wilko customers, will go a long way towards funding and operating three air ambulances serving the communities of the Midlands counties.”