Organisers of the White Horse Challenge want people of all ages and abilities to take part in this year’s event.

The event, on July 5 and 6, is a sponsored walk taking in many of Wiltshire’s white horses and raising money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The challenge, sponsored by the Gazette & Herald and The Wiltshire Times, is perfect for groups of friends, families or for businesses to enter teams.

The event has raised just over £97,000 in the past eight years and the organisers would love to break through the £100,000 mark.

There is a choice of routes from the seven-mile family challenge, the two-day challenge of 55 miles or the one-day challenge of 27 miles. Teams can also enter the one or two-day challenges as a relay and split the distance between members.

Zoe Meaden, of co-organisers Monahans chartered accountants, said: “The White Horse Challenge is open to everybody and I would encourage anyone interested to ring me to talk about it.

“People who have taken part have a massive sense of achievement.

“Businesses say it brought them together and everyone who takes part are proud to have raised money for such a good cause.

“Wiltshire Air Ambulance is the backbone of the community. It genuinely saves lives.”

The Air Ambulance Charitable Trust (WAACT) will have to raise more each year when its longstanding partnership with Wiltshire Police for the joint helicopter ends as a result of the police joining a national police air service.

From December the WAACT will have its own helicopter and will have to raise £2.5 million a year compared to the current £700,000.

Claire Kelly, head of charity services, said: “We are so grateful to the White Horse Challenge.”

Other organisers of the challenge are the Rygor Group Mercedes dealership of Westbury and Rocking House Nursery of Shaw.

For details call Zoe Meaden on 01225 785520 or visit www.whitehorsechallenge. co.uk