Toll money for good causes

More than £178,000 was donated from a day's takings as Midland Expressway Limited's M6 Toll Drive for Charity fundraiser topped totals from the previous two years.

Drivers donated extra cash at toll booths and M6 Toll staff dressed down for the day, but most money came from the entire takings less VAT, from midnight to midnight on May 23.

The County Air Ambulance at RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton, received £30,000 and £148,000 remaining was divided equally between the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Staffordshire and Warwickshire Wildlife Trusts.

Tom Fanning, chief executive of MEL, who presented the cheques, said: "I'm delighted to have beaten last year's total.

The money raised will go towards fantastic causes which all have a direct influence over the region which the M6 Toll covers.

The M6 Toll has already brought major benefits to the region in terms of its free flowing and stress free driving conditions, so it is great to be able to give back even more to the community with our Drive for Charity day.

"I'd like to praise our customers for their continued support, many of whom donated even more than just their tolls by giving extra at the toll booths."

Jan Goosey, corporate fundraising manager at the NSPCC said: "This is the single largest donation we have received in the Staffordshire area this year and will be put to good use supporting our local projects in Staffordshire."

Susan White, of Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "£49,436 is a fantastic amount."