A PLUCKY fund-raiser hopes to be accompanied by hundreds of teddy bears when he completes a festive bike ride.

Barry Calvert will be cycling non-stop from Kearsley to Halifax on Christmas Eve to raise money for the Nathan Howarth Appeal.

The 50-year-old will be attaching a trailer to his bike to transport as many soft toys as possible to the new children's ward at Halifax General Hospital.

Barry has already completed two gruelling cycle treks this year to Edinburgh and London to raise money for three-year-old Nathan who suffers from a rare genetic disorder called fanconi anaemia and needs specialist treatment which is only available in America.

The enthusiastic fund-raiser, who has two children and lives in Kearsley, has collected more than £3,000 for the appeal.

He has chosen Halifax for his latest mission as he was brought up there until the age of 15 and his brother, Alan Hinks, still lives in the town. Alan will be setting off on the 40-mile trek from the Antelope Hotel in Kearsley before cycling through Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Littleborough, Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden and making his way over the Pennines to Halifax where he will deliver all the toys to the hospital.

Barry plans to complete even more ambitious fund-raising missions next year with treks across both Ireland and America.

He is now appealing for individuals and businesses to sponsor the teddy bears.

Anyone who could donate teddy bears for the trip is urged to drop them off at the Antelope Hotel.

Barry can be contacted on 07939 967317.

PLUCKY CYCLIST: Barry Calvert pictured centre at a recent event outside sponsors Halfords