Billingham pals saddling up for Whitehaven to Seaton Carew coast to coast for Great North Air Ambulance Service

Graham Wood, Ste Plunkett, Jeff Armstrong, Rob Thompson, Alfie Sayers and Adam Barlow, from Billingham, will bike about 150 miles from Whitehaven to Seaton Carew in July.

They are doing it to raise vital funds for the air ambulance service which rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year.

Graham Wood, 62, said: “Four of us have been friends for a long time and two younger lads have joined us.

“I have wanted to do something for the air ambulance for quite a while but never got round to it.

“Steve said he was thinking about doing it and as I had done the coast to coast before I said I would do it with him.

“We are going to do as much of the ride as possible off road to make it a bit more fun and more of a challenge.”

The party will be closely followed by road by driver Steve Cook with the challenge being supported by Magnum Teesside van hire.

Businesses and individuals sponsoring the challenge include Todd's heating & Plumbing Crafty Cock Bar and kitchen. Joel Kerr funeral services. S.C. Civil's Ltd. Northgate Properties and John Carroll.

The cycle is due to take place over three days from July 24 to 26.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) operates throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

The charity responded to 2,083 call outs in 2024 alone, via their helicopter and emergency response vehicles, where they performed treatments and procedures which can mean the difference between life or death.

Retired Graham, who has previously completed three coast to coast rides, said: “One of the lads doing it had a family member airlifted by the ambulance in an accident.

“I do a lot of mountain biking in forests where it is hard for the air ambulance to get to. One day I might need them myself.”

Anyone wishing to support the group can donate online via justgiving.com on the page Crafty Cock bikers C2C for GNAA.