A GRANDMOTHER from Westhoughton is swapping the ambulance for the bike seat as she takes on a exotic fundraising challenge.

Maz Wyatt is setting off on an adventure of a lifetime on Friday, cycling more than 250 miles across Asia.

The 58-year-old is paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service has decided to help save more lives by taking part in a charity bike ride.

She will cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia over the course of 11 days in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

The mum-of-three and grandmother to one is taking part in the Big Heart Bike Ride with strangers from all of the UK.

She said: “I believe it is about 36 degrees out there at the minute, which is a bit daunting! I want to do my little bit for charity, it will be quite a challenge.

“The British Heart Foundation seemed like an appropriate charity as I have dealt with cardiac arrest patients through my work. There’s probably something in my blood, I started in the ambulance service to help others and I keep doing that outside of work as well. I just love helping people. I’m putting my heart and soul into it.”

Mrs Wyatt, from Daisy Hill, has been a member of the ambulance service for the last 26 years. She has been training as a member of the Breeze Network Wigan,- a women’s only cycling club, and flies from London to Vietnam on Thursday. She will be cycling for around six days, with additional travel time and is hoping to raise more than £1,000 in sponsorship through the challenge. To support the fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Maz-Wyatt1.