A CRITICAL care paramedic from Cofton Hackett, is taking on an epic challenge to raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity where she works.

Karen Baker, along with two colleagues, is attempting to raise £25,000 to help fund the three helicopters serving the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Welsh borders for the charity.

Karen is in training for the Bear Grylls Survival Challenge, an intensive five day survival challenge taking place in Africa, which culminates in a 36 hour expedition, involving tracking, skinning, and crossing skills in extreme situations.

Karen said: “We are very proud and fortunate to be working with the Bear Grylls team who have designed this exclusive challenge for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. If you’re a Bear Grylls fan you will know how extreme this will be.

“I've worked on the Air Ambulance for the past eight years and it is job that I love and a team that I am proud to be a part of. Funded entirely by the public, it receives no Government or Lottery funding and £6 million is needed each year to keep it operational.”

If anyone would like to donate to the fundraising challenge, they can visit Karen’s Just Giving page at justgiving.com/beargryllsafricachallenge2016 or text BEAR16 £10 or any amount to 70070.