A Carlisle couple are raising funds for the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS) by taking part in a pan-European car challenge dressed as Noddy and Big Ears.

Bill Foster, 63, and Sarah Steward, 53, are set to begin their epic 2,500 mile journey on Wednesday, September 20.

It will see them travel through northern Europe to Hamburg, Denmark and Hanover before returning back to the UK.

The pair are undertaking their journey in a near replica of Noddy’s iconic red and yellow car.

News and Star: The car the pair will be using on their charity challengeThe car the pair will be using on their charity challenge (Image: Supplied)GNAAS rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and relies on donations to keep its vital, life-saving work going.

“We just keep doing this event every year raising funds for different charities and this year we're doing it for the Great North Air Ambulance, a service which any of us could have to call upon at any time,” said Bill.

“There are about 50 cars from all over the UK taking part and we all meet up down in Kent to travel over to Calais on the ferry.

“Once we get to Calais, you know, well we all go our own separate ways, and we end up at different campsites each night.

"They tell us which campsite we're going to on the morning that we set off.

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“We’re really looking forward to setting off and getting going on the journey.

The couple have taken part in the screwball rally on several previous occasions and have raised money for the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Hillsborough Survivors Association to mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster.

So far, Bill and Sarah have raised £150 for GNAAS but are hoping to raise up to £1,000 before they set off on Wednesday, September 20.

Anybody wishing to donate can do so via their Just Giving page.