Kind-hearted Sue Brosnan was so impressed by seven year-old grandson Connor Benford's progress at a Keighley school for disabled children she decided to cycle 400 miles to raise cash for it.

Sue, of Eshton Hall, Gargrave, and her husband, Jim, have been helping to care for cerebral palsy sufferer Connor for three years.

For almost a year he has been attending Branshaw School, in Keighley, which is funded by Scope, the charity which supports cerebral palsy sufferers.

"Before he went there he seemed to have no spark.

"But now he is full of it. He sings at the top of his voice, he claps his hands, responds and laughs and he is even trying sign language,'' said Sue, 49.

"In this last 12 months we have seen such progress in Connor - he is a changed boy.''

She is now in training for the 400-mile, five-day bike ride taking in the USA's Grand Canyon.

Sue looks after Connor two days a week, giving his mum and dad Dawn, 27, and Rick Benford, 28, of Skipton, a much-needed break.

"Connor needs a lot of attention. It's difficult to describe how much stress has been taken off us by Sue and Jim. It's a great weight off our shoulders,'' said Rick, who is a full-time carer.

To get in training Sue has been peddling the lanes of the Yorkshire Dales around her home.

"I'll only have myself to blame if I'm not fit, but I'm more worried about the heat because I won't be used to it,'' she said.

The gruelling ride begins on September 12 in Bryce Canyon in Utah. The route will take the 200 riders on the trek through some of the most unusual and spectacular scenery in the world.

They will also ride through the Kaibab National Forest, part of the largest pine forest in the USA, before crossing the Grand Canyon.

Sue has already received some sponsorship from local businesses but is appealing to people to dig deep and support her challenge and help her raise £2,500.

Anyone wishing to help should telephone Sue on 01756 749209.

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