London Luton Airport has named Sue Ryder its 2012/13 charity of the year after customers selected the charity in a public vote.

More than 7,000 people voted for which charity would win the two-year partnership, with Sue Ryder winning 38 per cent of the vote. It marked the first time the airport turned over the decision to the public; previously charity of the year partnerships have been decided by the airport’s charity committee.

The partnership has kicked off with a £5,000 donation from the airport, but will largely consist of staff and passenger fundraising over the next two years. There is no set target for the partnership, but staff will also be encouraged to get involved in volunteering. The money raised will be directed to two local hospices.

Luton Airport’s community relations executive Sian Pearce said that the organisation was “delighted” with the results of the public vote.

The airport has hosted charity partnerships since 2008 raising a total of £120,000. Previous partners have been East of England Air Ambulance, Keech Hospice Care and NOAH Enterprise.