A PRUDHOE man joined his friends in a 180-car convoy to raise thousands of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Ben Grigg joined fellow car-loving friends Pete Pharoah, Danny Welton and Micky Cowen on the 23-mile car cruise in October.

The event saw 180 cars, motorbikes and 4x4s from across the country travel in convoy from Swalwell in Tyne and Wear to Derwent Reservoir.

The four friends hoped the convoy would raise £500 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, but were amazed when the money raised through donations and a raffle came to a £3,985.

Micky (23) said: “The amount raised is absolutely mind-blowing. I can’t thank everybody enough for showing up and donating.”

Great North Air Ambulance Service doctor Simon Le Clerc said: “We appreciate all of their hard work. The funds donated will keep the helicopter in the air, flying missions across the region. They should be extremely proud.”

The group plans to make the car cruise an annual event. The next big event will be on July 9, when a Hawthorns Logistics truck with GNAAS branding will lead the convoy.