At a special presentation at the base, charity representatives from the Ryedale Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and InterActive Whitby and District were handed cheques for £4,000 each.

The year-long collaboration between defence contractors Serco, which provides support services at RAF Fylingdales to the UK Ministry Of Defence (MoD) and the two charities, has seen numerous fund-raising events undertaken and a close bond has been forged.

Each year staff choose a local charity from the Whitby, Scarborough and Malton areas to support.

Both InterActive, which offers inclusive play and leisure opportunities to children and young people of all abilities, and The Ryedale Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society which raises funds for respite care for people with MS as well as helping to improve their quality of life, were both delighted to receive the funds.

They were raised through a host of charity events over the past year including an Easter raffle, a car wash, car boot sale, a fancy dress pub crawl in Whitby, a sponsored runner in the Great North Run, a coffee morning and Christmas raffle.

A golfing event and sponsored walks were supported not only by Serco personnel including family and friends but also employees from RAF Menwith Hill and other organisations including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Sodexo, the MOD Police and Guardforce.

Contract manager for Serco, Martin Hynes said: "A small committee from the Serco workforce consider numerous applications from local charities asking for financial assistance and often there is a personal connection to the staff at RAF Fylingdales.

"This is not an easy task as there are so many deserving causes in need of financial assistance.

"We try to select a charity or charities where we feel the money raised will make a real difference to the local community."

Mr Hynes added Station Commander, Wing Commander Gregg Hammond who is now on another posting, had been very supportive of all the events and he was delighted to see the new Station Commander, Wing Commander Martin Johnson at the cheque presentation.

"Without the support of the RAF, Serco would be unable to run all the various charity events over the year," said Mr Hynes.