The wheel deal

A boy is to cycle 140 miles to raise money for charity. Bradley Dearney, 11, from St Ives, wants to support the group that helped him when he suffered for years from a rare debilitating illness. Bradley, a pupil at Westfield Juniors, will be sponsored for

A boy is to cycle 140 miles to raise money for charity.

Bradley Dearney, 11, from St Ives, wants to support the group that helped him when he suffered for years from a rare debilitating illness.

Bradley, a pupil at Westfield Juniors, will be sponsored for the Myositis Support Group when he cycles from Whitehaven to Sunderland in four days.

The ride starts on Saturday, June 30, and Bradley will be accompanied by his dad, Mark, who with Bradley's mum, Julie, has completed the event before.

Julie said: "Myositis means the body starts to attack itself and the main muscles deteriorate and you lose strength. Bradley was diagnosed when he was four. It is such a rare condition not many GPs have seen it and it took six months before he was diagnosed.

"He was disabled for over four years but he had treatment and daily physiotherapy and he has been clear for two years now."

Julie said: "For Bradley to do this, is quite a milestone for him and any money he raises be used for research to help diagnose the illness"

INFORMATION: To help Bradley raise money for the Myositis Support Group, you can visit www.justgiving.com/bradleydearnley

Picture: HELEN DRAKE 3535