A GOLDENHEARTED young lad is saddling up to tackle a sponsored bike ride... even though he can still barely walk after spending half a year in a wheelchair!

Little Robert Hughes, from Bramcote Avenue, Blackbrook, is punishing the pedals in a sponsored bike ride to help a schoolchum and other youngsters -- despite six months in a wheelchair following an operation to correct a limb deficiency!

The 10-year-old, a pupil at Ashurst County Primary School, will do the 20-mile ride from Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales to raise cash for schoolmate Connor Marsden and the Alder Hey Childrens Hospital.

Connor suffers from the rare skin condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa, while Alder Hey is where Robert had his first operation and where he is due to undergo further surgery later this year.

Robert, a 'Young Citizens' award-winner, will be closely supervised on his sponspored event by dad and grandad and his proud mum Jeanette says he is now in training for the event by cycling to school every day.

She told the Star: "We are really very proud of him. He's such a strong character and it's amazing to think that he's helping others after what he's been through".

The courageous youngster will make the journey on Tuesday, May 29 and is asking local people to support him in his brave bid to raise as much as possible for the worthy causes.

IF you would like to sponsor Robert, you can contact the family on 01744 20724.