Shropshire’s Wood Brewery has launched a new cask beer, 30-60 Challenge, to boost efforts by MD Edward Wood to raise more than £6,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance service that saved his son’s life last year after a freak cricketing accident.

The 3.6% bitter has been named to mark the brewery’s 30 years in business and the MD’s 60th birthday, which he is marking by undertaking a solo Land’s End to John O’Groats bike marathon in May. Licensed trade response to his fund-raising has been tremendous, and over £4,000 has been pledged so far.

Sarah Hughes, Purple Moose, Bathams, Wye Valley, Ludlow, Uley, Severn Valley, Holdens, Chiltern, Lymestone, Exe Valley, Purity, Rebellion, Timothy Taylor and Burtonbridge are among brewery contributors to date.

“We’re donating 10p to the Air Ambulance for every pint of 30-60 Challenge we sell, so with the beer launched I’m confident I will exceed my initial £6,000 target. I’d like to thank all the brewers and suppliers who have pledged money to date,” said Edward, whose son Jonathan was airlifted from Shrewsbury to undergo emergency brain surgery in Stoke after being hit in the head by a cricket ball. He has made a full recovery.