A KELSO hotel has raised more than £4,500 through a skydive – to help improve the cardiac arrest survival rate in the Borders.

A team from the Cross Keys in The Square were set to take on the challenge earlier this year.

But bad weather conditions twice cancelled the fundraiser, which eventually took place in Fife recently.

And the group has managed to rack up £4,530 through online donations for charity Kelso Heartbeat.

Grant Ballantyne from the hotel told us: “The level of interest and support we have received throughout the past year has been overwhelming and a massive thank you has to go out to each and everyone of those who have supported our efforts to raise the level of funds we have to support this such worthwhile local cause.

“The funds raised will hopefully go some way to assist the Kelso Heartbeat heroes to build upon the significant positive difference they have already made to date over a number of years to continue doing what they do to further improve cardiac arrest survival rates.

“As well as the funds raised via the skydive, the hotel has hosted five very well-attended Kelso Heartbeat training sessions over the past few months, where hotel staff and members of the public have been trained by members of the Kelso Heartbeat team to use defibrillators.

“We also have further fundraising scheduled through prize raffles at the hotel Christmas parties and New Year dance in December.”

Grant also managed to secure a local sponsor to help raise the cash – solicitors and estate agents Hastings Legal.

Ron Hastings from the company said: “When Grant asked if Hastings Legal would be main sponsors for Kelso Heartbeat and the charity skydive we were only pleased to ‘jump’ at the opportunity – so long as we didn’t have to jump out the plane with them.

“Congratulations to the team. It was a great effort for a great cause – raising awareness of the problems any of us could face with a sudden attack, where time is of the essence and saves lives. Particularly in a popular visitor town like Kelso, it makes sense to have as many sites for defibrillators as possible.”

To donate, visit: totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/crosskeyshotel