TWO disabled canoeists hope to raise more than £1,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance when they cross the 100km Caledonian Canal in Scotland next week.

Stuart Carter, of Guisborough, East Cleveland, and Stuart Vallely, of Middlesbrough, are taking part in a sponsored canoe along the canal, which runs across the whole of northern Scotland, starting on August 18.

The pair, who are to be part of the Great Britain canoe team in a demonstration event at next year's Paralympics, hope to complete the challenge in four days, with support from fellow members of the North-East disability canoe club, which trains on the River Tees at Stockton.

They will canoe along the canal, which provides a short-cut between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and along the man-made cutting which links a chain of natural lochs - Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour.

Last year, Mr Carter and Mr Vallely raised £1,500 for Children in Need but this year have chosen to support the Great North Air Ambulance.

Pippa Holt, fundraising manager, said: "It is only with the generosity of people like the two Stuarts that we are able to keep the helicopters flying.

"As a charity we receive no Government funding and rely solely on donations from the people of the area we cover."

To sponsor the canoeists, contact Les Spicer on (01642) 276503.

For more information about the Great North Air Ambulance contact (01325) 487263.