Duo go extra mile for Ellis

MARATHON ride . . . Julia and Graham Cooper are cycling from Royton to Barcelona for Ellis, right

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AN OLDHAM couple will be getting on their bikes and pedalling 1,200 miles to raise money for a teen left paraylsed after a freak accident.

Julia and Graham Cooper are setting off from their Royton home on Monday morning and aim to arrive in Barcelona on September 26.

Their aim is to raise £1,000 towards the Ellis Robinson Foundation.

The 17-year-old 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 and Graham, a firefighter at Chadderton fire station, will aim to travel to London, where they will stay with Julia's sister, and then on to catch a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, France.

They will cycle through southern France and then on to Barcelona ­- their last stop will be Camp Nou football stadium.

Julia (44) said she came up with the idea after a friend told her about what had happened to Ellis.

She said: "The following morning I researched it a bit more. Straight away my son Harry said, I've played against him. It brought it home to me. I thought, this could have been my son. That was the turning point."

Graham (49) said: "We just thought Ellis' family should be able to concentrate on looking after him, and not having to raise money themselves.

"We thought it was for other people to gather round and do fundraising."

To prepare for the challenge the couple have been cycling 100 miles each weekend as well as doing spinning classes at the gym.

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