A FITNESS fanatic has raised almost £1,000 for a seriously ill youngster after cycling 350 kilometres across Ireland.

Barry Calvert regularly raises money for Nathan Howarth, aged four, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder called fanconi anaemia.

Father-of-two Barry, from Kearsley, had hoped to cycle from Dublin to Cleggan in County Mayo, which is the furthest westerly point in the country.

However, he was so overwhelmed by people stopping him to ask about Nathan and how they could help that he only reached as far as Cork on his two-week trip. He will return later in the summer to complete the journey.

Barry has raised thousands of pounds for Nathan, thanks to sponsored cycle rides to London and Edinburgh.

Nathan, from Great Lever, suffers from many health problems as the result of the disorder and his mother, Denise Kelly, is hoping to have a "designer baby", whose genes could help to treat Nathan.

Barry said: "The trip was hard work because the roads were narrow and there were lots of hills to climb, but I enjoyed every minute and can't wait to go back."