A DEAF teenager from York is preparing to cycle more than 1,000 miles across the country to raise money for a local charity.

Chris MacDonald, 18, has been profoundly deaf since he was three, and along with his hearing friend Lucas Wetherill will cycle from Aberdeen to York, via Cornwall, from Monday, August 1, to raise funds for Lollipop, a charity close to Chris’s heart.

Lollipop provides support for families with deaf and hearing-impaired children and young people, and host free activities and trips to encourage and support the youths and their families.

Chris said: “I’ve been a member of Lollipop for the past seven years, and they have given me the opportunity to take part in lots of activities, like go-karting, paintballing, and making a deaf awareness film.

“I have also done some fundraising for them, including bag-packing and cake stalls, but this is the biggest event I have done.”

Chris and Lucas, who have been friends for 11 years, are hoping to ride 1,014 miles in about two weeks, riding up to 100 miles each day, and will camp out along the route.

Lucas said: “We talked about it last year, and have been organising it since then. We’re both really nervous.

“We got stranded last year for four hours on a training route to the White Horse from York after my tyre blew, so hopefully that won’t happen again.”

Andrea Gitsham, chair of Lollipop, said: “Chris is a really good role model for other deaf and hearing-impaired people.

“Through his achievements he has proved to himself he can live life to the full, and this is a mammoth challenge which will show people that deafness does not need to hold you back.”

Chris and Lucas have already raised more than £1,000 in advance of the trip, but hope to reach £2,000 before they reach York Minster in the middle of August.

To sponsor Chris and Lucas, text CMAC11 followed by £2, £5, or £10 to 70070 (texts cost standard rate), or post cheques made payable to Lollipop (York and district) to Lollipop, Bootham House, 61 Bootham, York, YO30 7BT with a donation.