AN Aberystwyth pub’s cycling challenge has raised over £3,000 in memory of baby Seren Picken who died just days before Christmas.

The Ship and Castle’s 100-mile charity bike ride took place on 16 June, and last week landlord Ian Blair was delighted to be able to donate £3,200 to the Sick Children’s Trust, a charity close to his heart.

“We as a family had some very sad news last December when my cousin’s 12-week-old daughter passed away,” Ian explained.

“In her last days, The Sick Children’s Trust allowed her parents to be housed, fed and comforted near Seren as they came to terms with it all.

“I transferred £3,200 in to the JustGiving account, raising funds for Seren. We still have a few odds and sods to come in and expect to reach our £3,500 target.”

Seren’s dad, Ian Picken, is Ian Blair’s cousin.

The Ship and Castle annual 100-mile ride started four years ago and when this year’s event was launched, Ian Blair announced it would be in memory of little Seren, who had a rare mitochondria disorder.

The riders set off from Tal y Cafn, just south of Llandudno, and finished at the Ship and Castle in Aberystwyth.

Ian Picken, who was born and raised in the town, said the ride was emotional.

“What a weekend of mixed emotions. Excitement, nervous anticipation, enjoyment, achievement, sadness and plenty of tears,” he said.

“We battled through the torrential rain and strong headwinds until the sun came out but absolutely smashed it.

“At the end Ian gave me the privilege of leading everyone over the finish line flanked by my brothers, where the reality of why I was doing it came over me and all the emotion poured out."

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