THE grateful father of a baby who had to have major heart surgery is to go on mammoth fund-raising cycle ride to say thank-you to hospital staff for the care they provided to his daughter.

John Colley will join forces with his friend Gerry Kelly, of Penuwch, and his brother-in-law Mark George, from Cheltenham, to cycle the 130 miles between Bronglais Hospital and Bristol Children’s Hospital as the trio look to raise money for the Bristol hospital.

They are taking on the challenge on 8 and 9 October after John’s daughter Layla had to undergo major heart surgery shortly after she was born.

Layla was born with pulmonary hypertension, which causes problems with her lungs, and she has had regular appointments with consultants, which she will need throughout her life.

John, who lives in New Quay, said he wanted to raise money for the Bristol hospital for the help they had given Layla, and said the cycle ride would mark a year since Layla had her operation at the hospital.

He said: “It’s just something to say thank you and try to raise a bit of money to help them out and also to mark the fact it is a year since Layla’s surgery on 7 October.”

Anyone who would like to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/John-Gerry.

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