Monster helping to make progress (4)
I believe the answer is:
ogre
'monster' is the definition.
(fairy tale monster)
'helping to make progress' is the wordplay.
'helping to make' indicates a hidden word.
'OGRE' can be found hidden inside 'progress'.
(Other definitions for ogre that I've seen before include "Ugly giant" , "'Demon, fiend (4)'" , "Evil giant" , "The giant is some goer" , "Grim(m) beast?" .)