Air he goes...

Byline: Naomi Paylor

His head may be in the clouds, but for a Teesside paramedic the challenge of flying to Russia on a hang glider is one worth taking.

Jon Ker, 34, is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance by making the 4,000-mile flight on a motorised microlite.

His intrepid journey is taking him to the Shetland Islands, then on to Norway, the Russian border, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Holland and back to the UK.

"I'll be flying about six hours each day and I'm expecting it to take around three weeks," said Jon, who lives in Rothbury.

"It's something a bit different and will hopefully grab people's attention and help raise a lot of money for the air ambulance."

Jon, who works for the air ambulance at Teesside Airport, has a satellite phone in his craft and will be able to keep everyone at home informed of his progress.

"My partner is quite nervous about it," said Jon. "She flies too but she's not very happy about me flying over the North Sea. It is a risk and the main danger is the engine stopping.

"I've flown to Italy and Croatia before but never as far as this. I think it will be a record."

Carol Oliver, fundraising manager for the air ambulance, said the charity is very proud of Jon.

"He does a tremendous job for the charity anyway, without this," she said. "To take on a challenge like this is extremely brave of Jon."

A flight in a microlite aircraft with Jon when he returns will be the prize for the person who guesses the number miles Jon will have travelled from take-off to touch down.

Answers, along with name, address and telephone number and a donation of at least pounds 1, should be sent to Microlite Mileage, The Great North Air Ambulance, Northumberland Wing, The Imperial Centre, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NQ.

* Anyone wishing to sponsor Jon should call the air ambulance on 01325 487263.