A GRATEFUL father and his friend are getting on their bikes to raise £10,000 for charity Cystic Fibrosis Care which helps desperately-ill children.

Christy York, from Hutton Wandesley, and Graham Senior, from Bedale, decided to tackle the 1,000 mile route from John O Groats to Lands End after celebrating the second anniversary of Christy’s son’s remarkable double lung transplant.

Charlie York, now 12, who was awarded an “Overcoming Adversity Award” by the Northern Echo earlier this year, had the life saving transplant when he was ten. He had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby and had to battle off infections throughout his childhood.

Mr York said: “Graham and I want to fundraise for Cystic Fibrosis Care to help improve patient’s quality of life like my son Charlie. Despite the continuing medical regime of anti-rejection drugs, antibiotics, minerals and vitamins, Charlie is on the greatest form of his life.

“Life for Charlie and family has never been better. We realise how lucky Charlie has been to have been offered a new life. However, as we know from experience, life can be significantly more challenging, stressful and tough for those families with sick CF children. Charlie spent many years as an in-patient undergoing treatments for his damaged lungs. Despite the excellent care these hospital stays are tough both on the young patients but also the wider family.”

Cystic Fibrosis Care has been established by families of sufferers. Director Pat Kilpatrick, who has a daughter with the condition, said they aim to provide sufferers and families with essential equipment to make their time in and out of hospital more bearable. Donations can be made through justgiving.com/fundraising/yorkandsenior?utm_id=25