A CHEPSTOW teenager and her father will be cycling the whole length of Great Britain to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.

Jess Taylor, 13, from Chepstow and her father Paul, 41, will be cycling 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 14 days. Jess choose the charity as her grandmother Sandra Wanless was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006, aged 59.

Jess said: “I can’t remember a time when she didn’t have Parkinson’s. I guess it’s part of her personality to me, but I know that her symptoms will get worse.

“When that happens I want a cure to be there waiting for her. I know so many people with Parkinson’s, not just my grandmother, and they’re not all old.”

The teenager who attends Wycliffe Preparatory School in Gloucestershire was diagnosed with a condition called cyclical vomiting syndrome when she was 11-years-old. The condition causes repeated vomiting and physical exhaustion for several days with no apparent cause. She said: “I was very ill and it was hard for my mum to look after me as I was at boarding school in Stroud. I turned to my grandmother for support at the time and now it’s my turn to help her.”

Jess has been training by cycling the 30 miles from her school to her home on Old Coach Road, Chepstow. The ride will also be part of her Kirby Challenge Award at school where she has to make a physical impact on the community.

Mr Taylor said: “It was Jess’ idea to do the cycle. It’s a big ask for an adult but for a 13-year-old it’s a hard challenge to undertake.

“Jess could get quite ill while doing it but she’s keen to help her nan out. To keep us going we will need food high in energy, lots of this food is high in sugar which makes her illness worse.

The father and daughter team start on April 5 and hope to hit 60 miles a day.

Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “As well as helping to raise funds, Jess and Paul will raise awareness. We wish them the very best of luck.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Paul-Taylor70