Hero dad will cycle 330 miles for sick daughter

Vietnam to Cambodia ride to help cystic fibrosis families

- Chris Riches

A DEVOTED dad whose daughter has cystic fibrosis is cycling 330 miles in the Far East to help future sufferers of the life-limiting condition.

Bob Clarke, 61, has already raised £32,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in a series of gruelling challenges.

His daughter Sophie, 29, said of his latest adventure: "My dad is a total hero to me. He's amazing.

"Both of us want to make sure the next generation of CF sufferers have a happier, healthier future."

Sophie was just three months old when diagnosed with the genetic disorder, which causes mucus to build up in the lungs, intestine and pancreas.

Her childhood consisted of daily physiotherapy, dozens of pills and intravenous antibiotics.

By the time she was 16 she was in a wheelchair and suffering from chest infections every month that needed hospital treatment. She said: "My lung capacity was at just 15%. I needed round-the-clock help just to breathe. My future was looking very bleak."

Doctors put her on the waiting list for a double lung transplant and she had almost given up hope when a suitable match became available.