A COUNTY doctor will push himself to the limit to raise money for a vital piece of lifesaving equipment.

Dr Malcolm Russell, one of the medics from Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS), will tackle a gruelling 12 mile cross-country assault course known as the Tough Mudder.

MARS volunteers provide fast-response emergency care across Herefordshire and the service is known for its work at road traffic collisions.

The organisation now wants to raise £12,000 to buy an ultrasound machine to examine patients with lifethreatening injuries.

An example of its use would be to scan a person trapped in a car to check for internal injuries or hidden abdominal bleeding – something that could change how they are rescued.

“Many people will be familiar with ultrasound scanning in pregnancy,"

said Dr Russell.

"We’ll be using the same technology but in trauma and in very different circumstances such as at the roadside.

“Ultrasound may give us vital extra clues to make the best possible diagnosis and plan of action for our patients.”

There are five people in the MARS Tough Mudder team including Dr Russell.

The others are father-andson Neil and David Gordon, Ben Scott and Marcus Billig.

The event includes water crossings, fire hazards and electrified wire obstacles, and takes place on September 21 at a location in the South West yet to be finalised.

Visit justgiving.com/ toughmudder-mars to donate money.