A WALKER rescued by the Great North Air Ambulance is urging people to join him in a fundraising challenge for the service

Website developer Jonathon Ward, 28, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was airlifted from Scafell Pike last May after he slipped, fell six feet and snapped his ankle.

Fellow walkers searched for a phone signal and summoned mountain rescuers and GNAAS to the scene.

Mr Ward said: “Darkness and drizzle were beginning to set in so time was of the essence. I was given some morphine by the aircrew, who were fantastic, and then stretchered to the helicopter.”

Mr Ward was helped from the mountain and taken to the air ambulance that had landed about 200 metres away.

He was then flown to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for surgery.

He is taking on the Ullswater Charity Challenge , a multi-activity endurance test, in aid of GNAAS, on May 24.

Entrants will paddle a 12km circuit on Ullswater, scale Helvellyn via scrambles on Striding and Swirral Edges and then paddle back across Ullswater.

Mr Ward said: “This will be the first challenge of its kind that I have done and now I’m recovered, I aim to get back in shape and hope lots of people join me.

“I see the air ambulance as the fourth emergency service and I think they deserve our full support. You never think you’re going to need it until you do. It is vital.”

Ruth Davey, of GNAAS, said: “We hope supporters come forward to push themselves and raise money for a great cause at the same time.”

Participants must pay a £60 non-refundable deposit and also pledge to raise at least £90.

All technical equipment is provided.

For more information, contact GNAAS on 01325-487263 or e-mail events@greatnorthairambulance.co.uk