It was organised by Gayani Ariyaratne of the Flower Studio in Melton who, over the past 15 years, has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Many hands, including those of Lesley Morgan of Far Fetched in Melton, prepared a delicious meal which included chick pea baddum, chicken curry, mushroom curry, cabbage mallum and seeni sambal which was enjoyed by more than 80 guests at Kirby Bellars Village Hall last month.

Barbara Parish, fundraising manager for the Air Ambulance, who received the donation from Gayani and Lesley, said. 'We are extremely grateful to Gayani and her hard working band of helpers for supporting the Air Ambulance as every year we have to raise over £1.5 million to keep the service operational."

Gayani thanked everyone who helped make the evening possible - from chopping over two kilos of garlic bulbs to providing raffle prizes.

Lesley Morgan, left, and Gayani Ariyaratne, right, hand over a cheque to Barbara Parish, fundraising manager for the Air Ambulance. PHOTO: Jim Harrison