GRANDMOTHER Sue Nangle is getting on her bike to complete a marathon 350-mile ride from her Bacup home to her son in Jersey to raise money for street children in Romania.

The former nursery nurse and childminder of Greensnook Lane was moved when IT lecturer Vic Brown gave a talk at Christ Church in Bacup and explained the plight of the 'forgotten children' of Romania.

Vic, of Crawshaw Drive, Reedsholme, raises funds for the Steps charity and provides supplies and medicines for the hostel which the Methodist charity runs in Constanta. Sue, who will have just celebrated her 58th birthday when she sets off on her ride, said: "When I heard about the terrible situation which street children face each day in Romania, living in sewers, being forced into prostitution and being hounded by the authorities I simply could not ignore it.

"I prayed about it but I had to do something more and so I decided on the cycle ride. Sue, who has four children and is grandmother to four, is planning to leave home on August 29.

She said: "I am not racing, I am going to take it easy and enjoy it. I am also not planning to walk on water and have been crossing booked from Weymouth to Jersey!"

So far she has been pledged more than £800 in sponsorship and is hoping to raise even more before she sets off.

The money raised will benefit the Asociatia Fair Play in Constanta which is renovating a five storey block of flats to provide a safe refuge for up to 250 street children.

It will also support the InAsMuch project in Bucharest which cares for babies and street children.

To sponsor Sue, whether by the mile or a lump sum, ring 01706 878775.