NEARLY £40,000 was raised for the air ambulance during a night of fundraising at Chelmsford City Racecourse.

More than 160 people attended the event which saw a total of £39,584 raised for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance through contributions from associates of housing developer Redrow.

The top auction prize was a signed and framed British and Irish Lions legends rugby shirt which went for an impressive £2,100.

Sabi Stafford, Essex fundraising manager at the air ambulance, said: "I’d like to thank Redrow Eastern for organising this event, and everyone who attended and gave so generously.

"This is a fantastic amount of money to raise in a single evening, and we are really grateful to everyone concerned.

"Each mission costs in the region of £2,500, so it could help save many lives."

Alex Stark, managing director of Redrow Eastern, said: "This is the second year we have organised a charity race night and each year we have been overwhelmed by the huge generosity of everyone who contributes prizes and attends on the night.

"Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is our charity of the year and we know that the money will contribute to the essential costs they face to ensure they can provide an exemplary service to those in need 365 days a year."

Redrow Eastern is currently building developments in Braintree, Dunmow and Witham.

To find out more about EHAAT and its work visit www.ehaat.org.