Friends of Ben Conolly are setting off on an epic cycle tomorrow to help fund his rehabilitation.

Sixteen-year-old Ben, of Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, was paralysed last year by a malignant tumour and at the same time diagnosed with leukaemia.

A team of 10 cyclists and three support crew are cycling almost 400 miles in just three days, from Ben’s school, Sheldon in Chippenham, to Paris.

They have so far raised more than £1,780 and hope to reach a target of £10,000, to be divided between Ben and the charity Leukaemia Research.

Ben has a second-hand wheelchair and would like to get new wheels and a detachable carbon fibre back, which would allow him to put it in and out of a car himself.

Three weeks ago he broke his ankle when he fell out of his chair at school.

Ben’s mum Suzi, 47, said: “Ben wants to be physical and and is keen to be independent so it’s better to have a lightweight chair.”

A skittles match held at The Constitutional Club last month raised £1,450 for his cause. A day of live music at the same venue on September 21, organised by Caroline Butler, had about 200 people through the door and raised just under £1,100.

Mrs Conolly said: “I am blown away by the support that my family have received from friends, family and people that I have never met. It has been heart-warming and has helped my family cope through difficult months.”

Donations can be pledged at www.

gofundme.com/rideforben