A group of German visitors have given a north east charity a cash boost during a trip to the region. The delegation from Kreis Wesel enjoyed a five-day working visit to County Durham as part of a twinning arrangement which has lasted more than six decades. During the visit, organised by DCC, the group handed over a cheque for €500 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). The GNAAS is the chosen charity of the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Bill Kellett, who accepted the cheque alongside Laura Simpson from the GNAAS. Cllr Kellett said: “I am very pleased to accept this generous donation from our friends in Kreis Wesel. I am sure it will be very gratefully received by the GNAAS, an extremely worthy recipient.”
County Durham has been linked to Kreis Wesel since 1953 and over the last 64 years the two areas have taken part in a variety of collaborative projects involving residents and professionals from across the county. The relationship aims to develop friendships and improve understanding between people in the two countries, encourage investment and economic links and help people improve their professional skills and exchange examples of best practice. The latest visit to County Durham by five councillors and two council officers from Kreis Wesel included the chance to hear about the council’s Area Action Partnership economic development, Durham City regeneration plans and residents’ response to flooding in Chester-le-Street. The group also visited Aycliffe UTC, Binchester Roman Fort, Durham Regatta and a nature reserve built on the former colliery site in Easington.
