FIVE North Yorkshire cyclists are set to ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just four days to help a teenage girl paralysed in a cycling accident last year.

The group, all amateurs, has been given a large helping hand by a number of local businesses as it bids to raise money for Jenny Unwin, who was just 15 when she was knocked off her bike between Ripon and Harrogate last July.

The accident broke Jenny’s spine, leaving her paralysed from the chest down. Her initial rehabilitation was undertaken at the specialist spinal rehabilitation unit at Pinderfield’s Hospital, Wakefield and she returned home to Burton Leonard, near Ripon, just before Christmas.

An appeal fund was set up by her former employer at Cascade Garden Centre, near Ripon, which aims to provide Jenny with additional support to help her lead an independent life in the years ahead – and has already raised £45,000 in just six months.

And such is Jenny’s will to succeed she is already hoping to compete in the Paralympics in 2020, either on a bike or in the swimming pool.

Local firms Beechwood Leisure, Calverts Carpets, Rudgate Brewery and Busby Stoop Garage have donated more than £1,000 to the group to hire and fuel a motorhome which will be the support vehicle and accommodation for the trip in early June.

“We have been planning this challenge for nearly a year now”, said one of the riders, Alex Boynton, landlord at the King’s Arms in Sandhutton near Thirsk.

“It’s a tragic story but Jenny is an amazing young lady and we hope to be able to raise a substantial amount of money to help her, not only with her day-to-day living expenses but also to build towards the Paralympics in 2020.”

To donate or to sponsor the team’s effort, visit bmycharity.com/cycle4jenny or contact Dave Moss-Blundell on 07739 720732.