BADDESLEY PERSONAL TRAINER PUSHING HIS BODY TO THE LIMIT IN MEMORY OF FRIENDS LOST TO ROAD TRAGEDY

FUNDRAISER COINCIDES WITH AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S 40,000TH SORTIE

A PERSONAL trainer from Baddesley Ensor is taking part in the local air ambulance charity's challenge to raise funds to mark the life-saving service's 40,000th mission.

Twenty-one-year-old Ben Willis has been passionate about fundraising for The Air Ambulance Service since 2017 when four of his friends were involved in a road traffic collision after returning from a weekend climbing Mount Snowdon.

The incident happened just minutes away from Ben's house and he lost three very close friends that day.

But, thanks to the efforts of the air ambulance crew one survived and is now fit and healthy.

That's why Ben is super-motivated to raise money to keep the helicopters and critical care cars operational around the clock, 365 days a year, in Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland.

He is taking part in the sponsored #40for40 Challenge to achieve a target involving the numbers 4, 40 or 40,000.

Ben is completing 40 press-ups for 40 days with 40 per cent of his bodyweight – an extra 30kg – strapped to his chest.

He said: "Even though I keep myself and others fit for a living, sticking to the challenge every day is tough.

"But I've taken the kit away with me on holidays over the 40 days so I've been doing press-ups in different places."

Ben has set up a JustGiving page and has been live streaming every one of his 40 press up sessions on his Facebook page Better With Ben Fitness.

"It doesn't matter what you do for the challenge, it's simply about doing something – because any amount of money raised literally has the power to save lives and that's what is motivating me over these 40 days," he added.