Following the tragic death of employee Tony Marshall earlier this year, groundwork and civil engineering specialist Rudridge will be donating the £500 usually spent on Christmas cards and postage to charity.

Tony Marshall, who died after a short illness earlier this year, received emergency assistance from an air ambulance provided by The Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust.

From its three air bases the charity can reach anywhere in the country within 20 minutes to provide emergency air cover, support and services to patients and their families.  It relies entirely on donations to raise the £6 million needed each year to keep its helicopters flying.

In place of traditional Christmas cards Rudridge will instead send its customers and suppliers online season’s greetings via an electronic interactive game, which celebrates the company’s involvement with a firm favourite on the Christmas TV schedule - the UK’s Strongest Man.

Rudridge group operations manager Darren Price said: “We wanted to do something to commemorate Tony - who is very much missed and was a great colleague and friend to everyone at Rudridge – and recognise the important service The Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust provided not only to Tony, but to all the other countless families in need of emergency support.”

To make a donation to Rudridge’s Remembering Tony Marshall fund in aid of The Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rememberingtonymarshall.