CYCLISTS gearing up for a coast- to-coast cycle ride to raise money for research into a rare disorder, are looking for plenty of sponsorship.

Trip organiser June Kynoch is the grandmother of four-year-old Charlie Whitaker, who suffers from a rare blood disorder, diamond blackfan anaemia.

Her daughter, Michelle Whitaker, has successfully undergone in-vitro fertilisation to create a baby genetically, in the hope that after it is born it will provide Charlie with a life-saving stem cell transplant.

There is no other known cure for the condition, or any full-time research looking into the disease. and although there is hope for her grandson, Mrs Kynoch, from Chester-le-Street, is trying to help other sufferers by raising at least £50,000 to fund a full-time researcher to look into the disease.

On May 9, she and 38 other cyclists and three members of a support team, will set off from Whitehaven in Cumbria and will make their way to Sunderland in three days.

Mrs Kynoch said: "We're appealing for anyone to sponsor the cyclists. I would like to say we're trying to raise £10,000. But we're looking to raise whatever we can get."

Call 07790 808720 if you would like to help with sponsorship or would like to make a donation.