A GRANDMOTHER is preparing to embark on a fund-raising cycle ride to help further understanding of her grandson's rare medical disorder.

June Kynoch's four-year-old grandson Charlie Whitaker suffers from diamond blackfan anaemia, which leaves him needing regular, painful blood transfusions to stay alive. His best hope of a cure is a stem cell transplant from a baby brother or sister with a perfect tissue match.

June's daughter, Michelle Whitaker, is several months pregnant with a baby who the family hopes will provide the match. Mrs Whitaker travelled to an American clinic for the specialist fertility treatment.

There is a one in 50 million chance that she will have another baby with diamond blackfan anaemia. But once the baby is born, it will be another three months before the test results show whether a transplant is possible.

Mrs Kynoch, of Chester-le-Street, wants to raise money to fund a full-time researcher to look into the condition. About £50,000 is needed to fund full-time research into the genetic disorder.

Next Friday, she and husband Dave, 53, and about 35 other cyclists will set off for Whitehaven in Cumbria, for the start of a coast to coast cycle ride.

The team is aiming to cover at least 50 miles a day.

Mrs Kynoch still needs a support van to transport their bikes to Cumbria.

Anyone who can help or wants to provide sponsorship should contact her on 07790 808720.