A GUTSY Black Country window cleaner is preparing to get on his bike again for charity.

But before the big day for his latest charity challenge arrives - Martin Whelan, aged 40, from Stourbridge, is holding a charity ball at The Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill.

He's already sold more than 140 tickets for the black tie event on Saturday March 25 which he hopes will boost the funds raised for his latest charity adventure - a 350-mile cycle ride from Stourbridge to Land’s End in Cornwall.

Last June he and four friends cycled 108-miles from Stourbridge to Barmouth on the Welsh coast and raised more than £7,000 for two causes close to his heart - the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity based in Lye and Macmillan Cancer Support.

This time funds raised will go to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity - and Martin's hoping to raise as much as £20,000 with the help of some big sponsors including Digby Stone, Aristocraft Kitchens and AEG Motorhomes.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him on his Barmy Ride to Land’s End, which gets underway on June 12, should check out http://www.thebarmyteam.com/ or call 07837 755686.

Tickets for the charity ball are also available from the website or above phone number, priced £35.