WOULD you like to join in the fundraising activity to raise £45,000 for a new ambulance for the region's St John Ambulance and can't think how?

Well help is at hand with the opportunity to take a member of your family or a friend on a hair-raising ride in the sky with you behind the wheel.

The St John Ambulance First Flight Challenge has been thrown open to daring participants in a bid to raise the appeal money for a much- needed ambulance. You will take to the cockpit of a light-aircraft and have the thrill of a lifetime and all you have to do is raise a minimum of £200 for the Life Savers appeal.

If you are interested contact David Sutton at the brigade headquarters in Thirsk on 01845 521919.

The Evening Press launched the Life Savers appeal ten days ago to buy a Crusader ambulance which has been specially designed for the brigade nationally. It costs just over £42,000 and the extra £3,000 will pay for a state-of-the-art stretcher, an air conditioning system to help people suffering from heat exhaustion, and an automatic defibrillator.

If you would like to join in the fundraising activity, or would like to tell your story of how St John Ambulance has helped you, email emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk or contact the Evening Press newsroom on 01904 653051 ext: 314.

Cheques for the appeal should be made payable to St John Ambulance Appeal, c/o David Sutton, St John Ambulance, Lumley Close, Thirsk Industrial Park, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3TD, or go into any high street bank and pay into account number 60382078 , sort Code 20-82-94. Or call into the Evening Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Updated: 10:12 Saturday, March 09, 2002