Managers abseil for air ambulance

The airport's managing director Penny Coates took part in the abseil

Airport managers swapped their suits for ropes and pulleys to abseil down an air traffic control tower to raise money for the air ambulance service.

The managers at East Midlands Airport (EMA) took part in the challenge and raised £1,500 for the Derby, Leics and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).

They climbed 248 steps up the tower and then abseiled down the 52.3 metres (175 feet) to the bottom.

The air ambulance needs £1.5m a year to keep running.

Penny Coates, managing director of EMA, said: "The air ambulance is a crucial service that serves our communities and saves lives...We hope our abseil raises money and awareness of our local air ambulance service.

"When you consider the work the air ambulance crew carries out, it puts abseiling from the airport's air traffic control tower into perspective."

The DLRAA relies entirely on voluntary donations from local companies, organisations and communities. It serves more than 1.4m people and covers an area of 2,100 square miles.