A CHARITY run by a retired schoolteacher received a welcome, if a little unusual, bonus this week.

Helen Jones' son, David, called to tell her he had a donation to make to School Aid India after winning £900 through free bets through his job at Sky Sports.

The 37-year-old, a former Stokesley School pupil from Great Ayton, joined Sky in 1998 as a scriptwriter for Sky Sports News, and now hosts live Premier League football for the channel.

Online betting firm SkyBet gave Mr Jones and his fellow presenters a £20 weekly stake to place on any event of their choice. In three months, his selections amassed almost £900.

His chosen charity is School Aid India, which his mother set up after an inspiring trip to Darjeeling six years ago.

He said "Mum has put so much effort into the charity and I'm thrilled to be able to contribute. It's a wonderful project. I hear about its progress on a weekly basis and I know what a difference this money will make."

The cash will go towards an ambitious building project, creating a new school block for dozens of underprivileged children who might otherwise have missed out on education.

And Mrs Jones is opening her garden to the public later this month in a further bid to help the charity's drive for cash.

She said "David has always shown an interest in School Aid India, and joined us on a sponsored walk two years ago. It's great that his sporting background has helped us a bit further."

The garden at the Granary, Langbaurgh Grange (on the B1292 into Great Ayton) is open from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, June 19.

For further information about the charity, visit schoolaidindia.org