Two Bradford GPs are preparing to get into top gear on a marathon cycle ride across Cuba.

Dr Shirley Brierley and Dr Anne Connolly will cycle 250 miles from the capital Havana to the town of Trinidad in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society.

The week-long trek in high temperatures over tough terrain was inspired by Dr Brierley's son David who has a progressive hearing disorder diagnosed when he was aged three which has now left him profoundly deaf.

The nine-year-old, a keen Bradford City fan who will soon start lessons at Heaton Middle School, has enlisted the support of players from the club who are backing the ride which it is hoped will raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

Dr Brierley said she was looking forward to the challenge in November and would soon get into serious road training.

"We're not exactly sure what it's going to be like in Cuba but we've been told it's going to be hot and hilly," she said.

"I've only done one or two bike rides so far. Because we'll be doing about 50 miles a day, what we have been advised to do is go out on rides every couple of days and make them longer and longer.''

Dr Brierley, who is currently working as a locum in Eccleshill, said she had already received pledges of £800 towards a fund-raising target of £2,000 for the charity while she and Dr Connolly, who works at the Ridge practice in Great Horton, were covering the costs of travel to Cuba themselves.

A family fun day has been organised to raise money at Manningham Mills Cricket Club in Scotchman Road, Heaton, on Sunday, September 6 from 2 to 5pm.

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