It is tough, it is muddy, and it is designed for only the brave to take on.

And the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is now urging people to sign up to take on their obstacle course challenge - all to raise money for the vital service.

The event at Elveden Estate is on March 25 next year. Competitors can take part in either a six and 10 mile course, with 20-35 obstacles, lots of mud, slides, straw bales and challenging hurdles.

EAAA provides a life-saving helicopter emergency medical service for the people of East Anglia, but many people do not realise the service is a charity.

As a nod to the teamwork and bravery of the crews aboard their two helicopters, EAAA is this year encouraging teams to get involved and highlight the individual skills they each bring to make their team work.

Catrina Laskey, events manager, said; 'We want to encourage all participants to get involved with our Only The Brave 2018 Facebook page and help us build our OTB Community - tell us who is making up your teams and why you want to get involved and raise funds. Let's make this year all about motivational madness and appreciating all the members of our teams who will get us round this demanding course.'

Tim Papworth, who was 2017's top fundraiser at the event and an ex-patient of EAAA, added: 'EAAA perform miracles, as I know, I'm one of them. Without public donations and fundraising they would not be able to save lives. I managed to raise so much money due to the generosity of my friends and family, it didn't take much for the total to keep rising, I had a good story to tell and the power of social media and thanking those who donated through Just Giving, it just went viral. I decided to take part in Only The Brave as it was a fun way of raising money, and believe it or not getting muddy and exhausted was fun.'

The early-bird rate running until the October 31 provides several options. For more information on prices, visit www.eaaa.org.uk/events/onlythebrave or email catrina.laskey@eaaa.org.uk.

For more information on the work of East Anglian Air Ambulance, visit www.eaaa.org.uk or call 03450 669 999. You can also follow them on Twitter at @EastAngliAirAmb or like their Facebook page – East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity.