Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for charity – and all from the sale of books.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has been in receipt of more than £56,750 from donated book sales at the Co-op in Bridport from 2011, and another £6,000 has been donated from sales since October last year.

The fundraising initiative has grown from two small bookcases in 2011 to numerous shelves of books with the help and support of staff, especially Sarah Gay, who leaves the store this week after 26 years.

It has been a charity close to Sarah’s heart for a number of years and she has given up her time with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance volunteers and former colleague Joyce to make sure the fundraiser is a success.

She said: “In 1995, my brother had an accident and he was picked up by the air ambulance in Oxford and it saved his life, so the air ambulance has always been important to my family. For 20 years we did a motorbike run and supported the air ambulance.

“The book sale came about as we were raising money for charity and we had two tiny bookcases. People donated and it just grew, we were inundated with it and in the end – we used to run it ourselves, but we couldn’t anymore – Ron [an air ambulance volunteer] now comes twice a week to do it.

“Travis Perkins donated the wood for the bookcases there now and staff member Terry made them and that’s how everybody came together.

“I love the air ambulance; you see it flying around and you just think it is quite a good feeling to know you’re helping. “I haven’t minded giving my time up to help with it.”

Although Sarah is leaving, the book sales will carry on at the Co-op store.

Volunteers, Ron and Jan Bishop, have praised the support they have had from the staff at Co-op and are very grateful for all they have done to help raise such an amazing amount of money.

Tracy Bartram, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance communications manager, said: “Bridport Co-op has been an incredible supporter over the years with its community book stall. This is run by Ron and Jan Bishop, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance volunteers, every week.

“We are so grateful for how passionate the local community is in supporting this initiative, once again raising a significant amount in £6,000. This bring’s Bridport Co-op’s fundraising total to over £60,000 since 2011.

“With the average cost per mission being £3,000, this means that they have potentially funded 20 life-saving missions.

“On behalf of the patients that need us - thank you.”