THE grandmother of a toddler with a life-threatening blood disorder is embarking on a cycle ride to raise funds for research.

Just 300 people worldwide are known to suffer from diamond blackfan anaemia, which stops bone marrow from producing enough blood cells.

One of the sufferers is June Kynoch's three-year-old grandson, Charlie Whitacker, who was diagnosed shortly after his birth.

The toddler has to endure daily blood transfusions and is put on a drip at night to drain his body of excess iron.

Charlie can only have limited contact with his friends because of the risk of picking up an infection.

There has been little research into the condition so Mrs Kynoch, of Longdean Park, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has thrown herself into raising funds to pay for scientific investigation.

Her efforts were hampered last year when the foot-and-mouth outbreak put paid to a coast-to-coast cycle ride, but this weekend she will be making up for lost time.

She will begin her marathon cycle ride with 15 other cyclists from Whitehaven, in Cumbria, tomorrow and finish in Sunderland on Sunday night.

Mrs Kynoch said: "We hope to raise about £5,000 with this bike ride. We all want to thank everyone who has helped us with donations, by providing transport, water and sponsorship."

Next Friday, Mrs Kynoch will be holding a fundraising evening at the Red Lion pub, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, when Musical Time Machine will be performing songs from the 1960s to the present.

For tickets to the event, or to provide last-minute sponsorship for the cycle ride, contact June Kynoch on 07790 808720.