A Capel Bangor father rowed more than 275km in just one day at an event which raised thousands of pounds for Wales Air Ambulance in memory of his five-year-old son who was tragically killed in a car crash in 2016.

Bleddyn Jones, 51, undertook a 24-hour solo row on a rowing machine over the weekend, attempting to break, but just missing out on, the world indoor record for his age group.

Bleddyn attempted the feat at Aberystwyth Rugby Club to raise funds for the crews who battled to save the life of his son Ned following a car crash on the A470 near Rhayader, on Good Friday two years ago.

Ned’s mother, Sharon, is a published author, originally from Dolgellau.

Bleddyn, who played rugby for Aberystwyth for around 18 years, aimed to row for more than 279,242 metres to beat the record, but came up just short, rowing a still extraordinary 275,168 metres.

Bleddyn, who rows for Aberystwyth Rowing Club and regularly competes in indoor rowing competitions, took just a three-minute break every hour for 24 hours straight.

The 24-hour row began at 11am on Friday, finishing at 11am on Saturday.

Friends, family - including sons Tomi and Cai - and well-wishers were on hand to offer support during the event, with people rowing alongside Bleddyn throughout the day.

The fundraising event, which had been put back from an original date before Christmas due to tonsillitis, has so far raised over £8,000, with further donations still to be counted.

“I was feeling well and rowing strongly for the first 15 hours,” Bleddyn said.

“After 2am there were bad periods when I felt unwell, and periods were I was feeling reasonably well until the end of the row.

“I would like to thank everyone who has donated money for the Wales Air Ambulance, in memory of my little boy, Ned.

“Thank you also for all the messages of support that I have received before, during and after the row.

Donations are still open for the cause at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rowforned.

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