THE family and friends of a boy who was born with congenital heart disease are to cycle from Land’s End to Bristol to raise money for the hospital that saved his life.

Iwan Hughes, 11, from Dole, near Aberystwyth, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome, a condition which affects 1 in 3,600 babies.

When he was just nine months old he had to have open heart surgery and last year he had to have valve surgery.

Now Iwan’s mum Leanne, uncle Andrew, cousin Caryl Hughes, family friends Helen and Pete Jenkins, and Mrs Simpson, a classroom assistant at Ysgol Rhydypennau school, will cycle 240 miles for The Grand Appeal at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

“The staff kept us positive even in the darkest days and we just can’t thank them enough, but we can get on our bikes and raise money for an amazing cause,” said Leanne.

This bank holiday weekend, the six cyclists will get together for a training session ahead of their challenge, which takes place in September.

Also the White Stuff store in Aberystwyth will raise money with a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Saturday, 26 May, from 12pm to 4pm.

“We’re hoping to raise at least £6,000 and so far we’ve raised about £2,600,” said Leanne, 38.

If you would like to sponsor the cyclists, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/TeamGrandAppeal

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now