A RALLYING call has been issued to get as many people as possible to sign up to a challenging walk to raise essential funds for a lifesaving charity.

An army of dedicated walkers are getting ready for the hike across the Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors but organisers are hoping to attract even more volunteers.

The long-established Boosbeck Station Hotel charity walk for the Great North Air Ambulance Service will be repeating its annual 18 mile circular walk, which for this year is scheduled for Sunday, May 28.

Peter Welcome, for the walk committee, said "This walk is going from strength to strength, and we want to make this the biggest yet.

"The more walkers we get, the better the reward for the air ambulance. It's not just a walk for local villagers. In the past we have welcomed walkers from across Teesside and the North East and North Yorkshire and hope to see them again this year."

The intrepid walkers will leave the Station Hotel on Boosbeck's High Street at 7.30am in the morning, and following a route taking in Kildale, New Row, Sleddale, Highcliff, Slapewaith and back to Boosbeck returning back to the start for a well earned rest, sandwiches and cool drinks.

Station Hotel landlady, Barbara Holliday said: "I see the walk as one of the highlights of the pub year. Many pub regulars take part, and I am proud of the efforts they put in to see that the walk is a success."

Over the years the walk has raised thousands for the GNAAS and the organisers are hoping to repeat their success against this year.

Grahame Pickering, GNAAS chief executive, said: “We’d like to thank everyone involved in this event for getting behind us again.

"Over the years, this group has raised around £40,000 for the charity. This money has helped us save lives and ease suffering across the region, so the organisers and all those participating should be proud of what they have achieved so far.”

Anyone wanting to take part in the walk should contact Mike Biondi on 01287-651044 or Peter Welcome on 01287-652988.