STUDENT friends of a 19-year-old man who remains in critical condition after an early morning Aberystwyth assault have been shocked by the incident.

Ifan Richards Owens, a second-year criminology student, was assaulted on High Street in the early hours of Sunday, 14 January.

He remains in hospital in Cardiff in a critical condition.

A popular student, Ifan is active in Y Geltaidd football and rugby teams, as well as the UMCA, the Welsh-language students’ union at Aberystwyth.

Gwion Llwyd Williams, the president of the UMCA, said: “The last few days have been difficult for us all following news of the serious assault on our friend and fellow student Ifan Owens over the weekend.

“We are all thinking of Ifan and his family, and hoping for the best.

“Ifan is a friendly, cheerful and very popular member of UMCA and Ifan’s absence is felt across UMCA at this very difficult time.

“We’re a close community of students in Aber, and this news has been a shock to us all.”

Aberystwyth has rallied around to support Ifan’s family.

Nia Gore decided to set up a donation page to help raise money for Ifan and his family.

“I set up the page with hope that the people of Aberystwyth, and anywhere else can show support to the family of Ifan,” she told the Cambrian News.

“I received an email from the young lad’s father who said he cried when he saw this amazing idea.

“A very large number of Ifan’s friends have donated too.”

Initially planning to raise £500 to support Ifan Owens and his family, that target was smashed within 24 hours.

The fund now stands at £5,300 and is still rising.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition tomorrow