Despite fewer participants in this year’s White Horse Challenge the event raised an impressive £8,801 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

It means the amount raised in the eight years the event has been held is £97,000.

The event, held on a weekend in July and sponsored by the Wiltshire Times and sister paper the Gaze, involves people walking up to 52 miles taking in some of the county’s White Horses. There is also a seven mile family challenge.

Organisers Monahans chartered accountants, the Rygor Group and Rocking House Nursery say they are delighted with the amount raised this year.

Zoe Meaden, spokesman for Monahans, said: “I’m really pleased with it, it’s down on last year but up on previous years. We had fewer people than usual so it was a lot more money than I thought would be raised. It’s absolutely fantastic that the event has raised £97,000 over the years – that’s a massive chunk of money for the air ambulance.”

Boosting the total raised this year was money raised by corporate teams including Octavian in Corsham and The Flying Monks, a team of four friends who got together through Facebook.

Planning has started for next year’s White Horse Challenge, date still to be confirmed, and Mrs Meaden is encouraging people to consider taking part and help to break through the £100,000 mark for the air ambulance.

Cheryl Johnson, head of fundraising and development at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this fantastic donation and would like to say a big thank you to our supporters Monahans, Rygor and Rockinghorse Nursery who worked so hard to make this year’s White Horse Challenge such a success, not to mention the many people who took part and helped out on the day.

“It costs £6,850 a day to keep the life-saving helicopter and crew operational and we are entirely dependent upon public support to raise the money we need to keep this vital service flying.

"Over the last eight years, this popular event has raised nearly £100,000 for the air ambulance, a phenomenal amount. This amazing support helps to ensure that we can continue to keep saving as many lives as possible across the county.”