A Shropshire pensioner has helped the County Air Ambulance collect £50,000 in six years after setting himself a fundraising target.

And Richard Knight, 89, of Cardington, near Church Stretton, has achieved his goal with time to spare. Mr Knight stared collecting for the County Air Ambulance at the age of 83, when he retired.

He set himself the target of generating £50,000 before his 90th birthday.

He has collected from shops and businesses in Montgomery, Bishop’s Castle and Church Stretton.

Mr Knight said: “I set myself a target of raising £50,000 by the time I was 90. Thanks to the generosity of so many wonderful people, I have reached that target with time to spare.”

Mr Knight retired for the first time at the age of 65. However, he soon started a new job in a quarry at Dorrington, where he looked after the weighbridge, took orders and helped load deliveries.

He said: “I retired for a second time and decided I didn’t want to sit around. I contacted the air ambulance office in Dudley and have been doing that for four years.

“I retired for the first time from McConnells in Ludlow and did three days a week for 17 years at Evasons in Dorrington.”

Mr Knight said the majority of the funds raised came from presentations and he goes to receive cheques for the charity as part of his job.

He said £2.4 million a year was needed to keep three air ambulance helicopters flying.

He added: “I retired again at 83 but soon got fed up with not having much to do. So I looked around and thought it might be a good idea to help the Air Ambulance. They welcomed me with open arms.”

Mr Knight added that he broke his £50,000 barrier when he received a cheque for £1,315 from Georgina Doe, who organised a fundraising evening at the Green Dragon, in Little Stretton.

He said he now wanted to raise £70,000 so the Air Ambulance could have an extra doctor on board flights.

* Read all about our appeal here and print off a donation form here.

* Have you got something planned to support our Flying Doctor Appeal? Then don’t forget to let us know about it so we can highlight your effort. Drop a line to: Toby Neal, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire TF1 5HU, phone (01952) 241458, or e-mail tneal@shropshirestar.co.uk

By Andy Richardson