FOUR ambulance staff are gearing up for a 130-mile charity walk to raise awareness of mental health problems faced by emergency service workers.

The team will walk from Scarborough RNLI to Blackpool RNLI in September in aid of the 'Blue Light Programme' run by mental health charity MIND.

On Thursday, they posed for photos at Middletons Hotel in Skeldergate, York, which is providing free accommodation for walkers after leg one of their journey on September 26.

Middletons has also entered seven staff into the final stage between Broughton, near Preston and Blackpool where the North West Ambulance Service quartet are based.

The ambulance team is comprised of Dan Farnworth, Rich Morton, Phil Baggaley and Gill Despard.

Mr Farnworth said: "We have had unbelievable support from the Middletons Hotel in York who have offered a free room for the walkers on the night they arrive in York and have also entered seven members of staff into the last leg.

"This is a true display of community spirit displayed by this company and Lorraine the manager."

Mr Farnworth, who has himself suffered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), added: "The Blue Light Programme's goal is to promote mental wellbeing and support for emergency service personnel.

"Recent research by MIND suggests that 41 per cent of emergency workers have been prescribed anti-depressants or sleeping tablets, due to stress and poor mental health.

"Following on from this, one in four have thought about ending their lives and five per cent have attempted to do so.

"En route from Scarborough RNLI, we will be stopping off at ambulance, fire and police stations along the way to generate support within the blue light community.

"On the last day we will be inviting the general public to participate in our last leg from Broughton (Nr Preston) Headquarters to Blackpool RNLI to rally behind our emergency services.

"Our aim of this walk is to challenge the stigma attached to mental health within our work place and to raise the necessary funds, to ensure the Blue Light Programme can continue to help emergency workers in time of need."

For more information, visit www.bluelightwalk.com