A CYCLIST has overcome his ‘hardest physical challenge’ to raise £1,000 for the air ambulance.
Ben Smith took on a 300 mile bike ride from London to Newcastle in 24 hours, just completing the challenge in the nick of time arriving at the finish line with 14 minutes to spare. H
But the hard work was not in vain for the 21-year-old, who has seen his donations for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance rocket to nearly £2,300 after recently featuring in the Observer.
Ben, who works at Avon Boating, said: “It was no doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done. The worst part was reaching the early hours of the morning around York, where I hit the imaginary wall and wanted to give up. Nearly falling asleep in the saddle I was ready to quit.
“But after digging deep I broke through the wall and got a second wind which carried me to the finish line.”
Ben saw the vital work the air ambulance do first hand after he was involved in a car crash in 2004.
He said: “Because of the severity of the crash, and to provide the fastest medical care, the air ambulance was called.
“After witnessing the skill of the paramedics and pilots they became a charity I have always supported.”
Visit www.justgiving.co.uk/Ben-Smith1992 to donate.
Ben completed a gruelling 300 mile cycle challenge to raise cash for Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. (s)
