A husband and wife team is running the London Marathon in a fundraising tribute to a paralysed teenager.

Ralph and Carol Cooper, from Glusburn, aim to raise £3,000 through sponsorship for the Spinal Injuries Association.

Their effort has been inspired by the plight of 17-year-old Paul Jones -- a neighbour on the Old Hall estate -- who is undergoing treatment at Pinderfields Hospital, in Wakefield.

He has been hospitalised since being found lying severely injured in the road near Jubilee Tower, Steeton, last November.

Paul, a former pupil of South Craven School, had begun work as an apprentice engineer at Wask RMF, in Keighley, just six months earlier.

He was attending Keighley College -- where Ralph, 58, lectures in computer-aided design -- on day release.

The college has loaned Paul a laptop computer so he can continue with his studies.

Ralph and 42-year-old Carol -- a medical secretary at Airedale Hospital -- have both previously run in marathons, but not together.

They hope to complete the April 22 event within four hours 20 minutes.

Ralph says: "I know Paul partly because of the fact he lives close by but also through his attendance at the college.

"He was a very active lad, and clearly events have had a dramatic impact on his life and on his family. We are very keen to do what we can for them."

Paul had been heading home from work on his motorcycle, on November 17, when he was found at around 4pm, in Hollins Lane.

He was taken to Airedale Hospital and then to Leeds General Infirmary, before being transferred ten days later to the spinal injuries unit at Pinderfields.

Parents Jean and Ken say that despite his ordeal -- and a warning from doctors that he will not walk again -- Paul has remained cheerful and resilient.

Jean, who works as a domestic at Airedale Hospital, says: "He has been brilliant. He has had bad moments as you would expect, but most of the time he has been laughing and joking.

"He was very active and enjoyed playing rugby and at first he did not want to contemplate what doctors were telling him, but he is very determined and has a positive outlook.

"It has been a horrendous few months for everyone but things are gradually getting easier."

Paul has a 19-year-old brother, Stephen.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Ralph and Carol can contact them on 01535 634510 or e-mail them at ralph@glusburn.freeserve.co.uk.

Also donations can be paid directly into a special account -- named Paul Jones SIA -- at any branch of Barclays Bank. The account number is 20041262, and the sort code 20-45-14.