PARAMEDIC Jon Ker is swapping his air ambulance for a microlite to take part in a three-week flight across Europe to raise cash for the service.

A senior paramedic with the Great North Air Ambulance, Mr Ker will leave Teesside Airport on Thursday heading for Shetland then across the North Sea to Bergen.

"We intend to follow the coastline of Norway all the way up to the North Cape, where we will then fly east to the Russian border before turning south and flying through Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland," said Mr Ker, who is based on Teesside.

"The route back to the UK will then take in Germany, Belgium, Holland and then back to Teesside."

The BBC will be televising live the take off from Teesside International Airport and BBC Radio will be giving daily live updates of the journey.

John Everson, director of fundraising at the Great North Air Ambulance, said: "Without the support and generosity of people like Jon Ker undertaking these sponsored events, we would not be able to continue our life-saving service.

"Fundraising events are the life blood of our organisation. Without them we would not be able to exist, but I would like to stress that it is not only the large events that matter but the small events, such as coffee mornings. It's great that people can raise funds for us and have fun."

Officials hope to capitalise by asking people to guess the number of miles Mr Ker will travel. The cost is £1 and the prize is a trip in the aircraft.

* To sponsor Mr Ker, contact (01325) 487263.