THE father of a child born with a life-threatening disorder is cycling the length of the country to raise money for the hospital that treated him.

Dale Wright, 37, from Otley, and his friend, Charlie Holsgrove, 43, from Harrogate, plan to cycle the 900 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End.

The pair, who plan to start their mammoth trek on Tuesday, want to cycle at least 90 miles every day and hope to finish in nine days.

And for the former army colleagues, who are now both civil servants, it will be quite a feat.

Dale said: "We've not done a lot to prepare for it, we are both quite fit and we're also quite mad, I think we still think we're 21."

Dale and his wife, Andrea's, baby son, Andrew was transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital when he was just one day old.

Andrew, who undertook lifesaving abdominal surgery, was diagnosed at just two weeks old with the incurable, but correctable bowel disorder, Hirschsprungs Disease.

He later underwent further surgery to measure the extent of the disease and to provide him with an ileostomy.

Dale said: "Following his recovery, Andrew was allowed home for a few weeks where we cared for him with the support of the outreach nursing team from the Leeds General Infirmary.

"At three months old Andrew returned to Sheffield for further surgery that reversed the ileostomy and set him on the road to what is hoped will be a full, productive and normal life."

Now Dale and Andrea are keen to help the hospital as one of only eight specialist children's hospitals in the country and the only one in the whole of Yorkshire.

"Throughout our time in Sheffield we were provided with fantastic support from the surgeons, doctors, nursing staff and charity workers and we felt it would be great if we could give something in return," said Dale.

The cycle trip, which is part of the SCH's 2002 Cycle for Life initiative, is the second one this year carried out by Dale or some of his friends.

Earlier this year a group of Dale and Charlie's colleagues raised £1,500 on a three day tour of Cyprus.

So far, Dale and Charlie have been given the enthusiastic support of friends and colleagues. They have also been helped by many businesses in the area.

Harrogate car rental company Enterprise is providing a free support vehicle, which will be driven by Dale and Charlie's friend, Jim Reed, of Ripon.

JD Cycles in Ilkley has provided spare equipment for the cycles - in case of emergency repairs on route; and Otley Round Table has given a sizeable donation to The Children's Trust - which provides accommodation to families of children in hospital.

Dale added: "We are extremely grateful for the support of these caring companies and the wonderfully supportive people who work in them."

l Anyone who would like to make a donation should contact Lesley Tate at the Wharfedale Observer on (01943) 465555.