Duo's cycle challenge raises cash for Ellis

PEDAL power . . . Julia and Graham Cooper

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PEDAL power worked for an Oldham couple who cycled 1,200 miles from Royton to Barcelona for charity.

Julia and Graham Cooper set off from their home on September 5 and arrived at their final destination in Barcelona on September 26.

The couple were aiming to raise £1,000 for teenager Ellis Robinson who was left paralysed after a freak accident.

Ellis was 17 when he sustained a serious spinal cord injury while playing football in February, leaving him with no feeling below his chest. He is currently being treated at the Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport.

Since then the #TeamEllis campaign has gone viral on social media, with high-profile sports stars such as Chadderton boxer Anthony Crolla and football personalities Philip Neville and Joey Barton tweeting their support for the teen.

Bank worker Julia (45) and Graham (49), a firefighter at Chadderton Fire Station, cycled south to catch a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, and then on to Barcelona - their last stop was Barca's Camp Nou football stadium.

They've raised just over £2,700 so far and are hoping to push it to £3,000, which will then be transferred to the Ellis Robinson Foundation.

Julia (45) said: "My husband did pick up a bug on the journey. He was really poorly for two days. He was severely dehydrate and no matter how much he drank he couldn't keep the fluids in his body. He lost over a stone in two or three days.

"There were a couple of issues with the equipment. But apart from that it was brilliant."

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/bike2barcaforellis.

Follow the @teamellis campaign on Twitter.