STALWART fundraiser Barry Calvert will be helping a seriously ill four-year-old by cycling his way across Ireland.

The 50-year-old aims to notch-up more than 500 miles when he rides from Dublin to Cleggan in County Mayo, which is the furthest westerly point in the country.

Barry will be stopping off on his travels across the emerald isle to collect money for the Nathan Howarth Appeal.

Nathan, aged four, from Great Lever, suffers from a rare genetic disorder called fanconi anaemia and his mother Denise Kelly is hoping to have a "designer baby" in a bid to save his life.

Father-of-two Barry, from Kearsley, has already raised thousands of pounds for tiny Nathan thanks to sponsored cycle rides to London and Edinburgh.

As well as fundraising for Nathan, Barry is busy collecting kiddies' unwanted bicycles which he will repair and donate to children's wards in hospitals all over Manchester.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Barry or donate bicycles is urged to contact him on 07939 967317.

Barry sails today from Liverpool to Dublin for the two week trip.