THE family and friends of a boy born with congenital heart disease have raised over 50 per cent of their £6,000 fundraising target, three months ahead of their charity bike ride from Land’s End to Bristol.

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, 38; Iwan’s 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.

As well as raising money through the cycle ride, events have also been organised.

The White Stuff shop in Aberystwyth held a teddy bears’ picnic on Saturday, 26 May.

Commenting on that, Leanne said: “It went really well. They raised £178. It was an excellent raffle, well supported by local businesses, and lots of friends helped to make the cakes for which I am incredibly grateful.

“The White Stuff staff have been absolutely fantastic supporting us with such enthusiasm and again I am incredibly grateful.

“It is so lovely to feel so much support from our community.

“We are overwhelmed by how much people are willing to support and help us in our efforts to raise money for the brilliant Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Bristol.”

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