A BUSINESS owner is taking on a beast of a challenge in a bid to raise money for the region’s air ambulance.

Ben Jolly, from Bowburn, is taking part in this year’s Hamsterley Beast event, happening on Sunday, May 14.

The event, which takes place in Hamsterley Forest, involves more than 40 miles of tough off-road mountain biking in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Mr Jolly, will be riding with friend and organiser Ian Tate and GNAAS paramedics Jeff Doran and Jamie Walsh.

The 37-year-old, who owns Bowburn-based company Cubed Graphics, said: “It’s a great event and a great cause. I’ve got two friends who work for GNAAS and it’s a really good service.

“They’ve done a lot of good for bikers and horse riders and motorcyclists as well.

“This is the first time I’ve done the Beast though it’s the third year it’s been running and it has grown and grown in popularity.”

Mr Jolly is hoping to raise at least £650 for the charity.