STAFF from Marks and Spencer in North Swindon strutted their stuff to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, raising hundreds of pounds for their charity of the year.

Employees at the store at the Orbital Retail Park have so far raised more than £600 for the charity through a number of different events, including a quiz and a zumbathon.

The zumba event, hosted at Grange Leisure, saw more than 30 customers get involved in the dance fitness craze and showcase their moves for up to four hours at a time in aid of the air ambulance.

The store invited staff, customers and members of the community to attend the event, and the generosity of locals saw an extra £300 raised towards the store’s charity of the year.

Rosalind Brock, plan a champion at M&S Swindon Orbital, said the success in raising funds showed the respect people have for the work of the air ambulance.

“We recently selected Wiltshire Air Ambulance as our charity of the year and we’re already off to a flying start with our fundraising,” she said.

“We had a fantastic day dancing – the local community really got behind the event which is testament to the great work and respect that the air ambulance has achieved and accrued.

“I would like to thank South Marston Leisure and the amazing instructors who donated their time for our zumbathon and Manor Farm pub, who kindly hosted us for our quiz night.”

Each year M&S stores around the country select one charity to support for the full year, hosting fundraising events with customers and employees.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance was selected by employees in recognition of the enormous value and support the air ambulance brings to local people.

Kenresa Stratford, fundraising coordinator at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We rely wholly on donations from the public and it costs £2.5 million every year to keep the air ambulance flying. No matter whether the donation is big or small, everyone who donates really is helping to save lives, so we’re incredibly grateful to M&S Swindon Orbital and look forward to their continued support over the coming year.”

For more information on the air ambulance, visit www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.