A BOLTON woman who is preparing to pedal 225 miles through Jordan for charity has gained the Royal seal of approval . . .

For among the names on Susan Brindle's sponsorship sheet are the King and Queen of Jordan, who have sponsored her for an incredible £2,000.

That is the minimum amount she needed to raise to take part in the ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

But it was not a case of Susan writing on-spec to Jordan's 'First Couple' - more a matter of renewing old acquaintances.

Four years ago Susan, of Knutshaw Bridge, suffered a serious back injury in a climbing accident in Jordan. She fractured two vertebrae and her pelvis when she plunged 30ft on to solid rock while abseiling from a mountain. King Hussein learned of her plight, visited her in hospital and then instructed palace staff to make her stay as comfortable as possible.

This included being sent a television and video, special vegetarian meals and even flying her parents, Kevan and Beatrice, out to her bedside.

When she heard news of the sponsored cycle ride in Jordan, Susan, a computer programmer, wrote to King Hussein and he agreed to sponsor her for £2,000.

Susan said: "When I was in the Jordanian hospital lots of people were so very good to me, and it is nice to think I will be returning there to do something positive.

"Now I have been given such a good platform, I hope to raise another £2,000 to make £4,000 for the charity."

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