Emma Frost, of Lynn, kick-started her family's efforts for the cause after raising £1,022.60 by organising a disco for friends and family at Lynn Masonic Lodge.

Now her father John Howlett (51) and his friend John Ewing (51 next Tuesday), both from Terrington St Clement, are getting ready to go the extra mile for the charity – by driving to Timbuktu!

The pair are leaving home for three weeks on December 28 to take part in the gruelling Plymouth to Dakar challenge. They will drive a Land Rover Discovery more than 4,000 miles, heading deep into Africa after crossing the Sahara Desert.

When their group arrives in Timbuktu, any surviving vehicles will be auctioned off by event organisers with money raised going towards local schools and hospitals.

The two Johns are now appealing to businesses for sponsorship for the air ambulance in return for having their company name on the vehicle.

"We are funding the challenge ourselves so every penny made will be donated to our charity," said Mr Howlett. "We're both looking forward to it – we wanted to do it before we got too old!"

Anyone wishing to sponsor the pair can log onto: www.plymouth-ban jul.co.uk and click on Timbuktu group 5, or www.justgiving.com/nor folkjohns