A team of superheroes are preparing to run 150 kilometres from Cardiff to Aberystwyth in October to raise money for a local boy who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Two-year-old Eken Baddeley, from Penparcau, is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, an extremely rare form of cancer of the chest and lungs, on 6 March 2020.

After a scan at Bronglais showed a large white mass covering the right side of his chest, Eken was rushed to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff.

After 24 hours of surgery, Eken was awake and breathing without a ventilator, and will be continuing with his chemotherapy in Noah’s Ark Hospital.

Now a team of ex-soldiers, serving soldiers, physical training instructors from Aberystwyth University Sports Centre, and an Officer from the Royal Welsh will be embarking on Eken’s Super Run, a 150 kilometre run from Cardiff to Aberystwyth, dressed as super heroes.

Shaun Russell Jones, an ex-soldier and volunteer Coastal Rescue Officer with HM Coastguard in Aberystwyth, is organising Eken’s Super Run for the second weekend of October, 10 and 11, to raise money for Eken.

“It’s going to take a good day to do at least,” Shaun commented. “The emphasis is on doing it safely, it doesn’t matter if it does take two days.”

On his reasons for choosing to raise money for Eken, Shaun said: “It’s all about helping a local lad.

“I’m immensely proud of my community and will help to support it at all costs.”

Gary Pemberthy, owner of Cactws clothing store in Aberystwyth, is sponsoring the superhero costumes for the team.

“I want to say thank you to him,” Shaun said, “Without him it would have cost me a lot more.”

Hayley, Eken’s mother, said: “I think it’s an absolutely amazing thing to do for Eken and I can’t thank everyone enough, for all the support for Eken and Noah’s Ark Children Hospital.”

To donate to Eken, please go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ekensstory.