A FATHER will use pedal power to fundraise for a charity that provided support when his baby son was critically ill.

On September 5, Steve Bell, of Rodbourne, will get in the saddle to cycle 88 miles from Bournemouth to Swindon.

Alongside eight biking buddies Steve aims to raise £2,000 for Ronald McDonald House, which provides free accommodation for families of critically ill children at the Bristol Children's Hospital.

He was inspired to fundraise for the charity after his son, Jacob, was born with a ventricular septal defect, or hole in the heart, which required him to have open heart surgery in April 2014, aged just three months.

Ronald McDonald House provided a refuge for Steve and wife Abigail, letting them stay by their son’s side.

“It was a textbook pregnancy, we had no indication anything was wrong. When he was born he was rushed away,” Steve said.

“As parents not knowing if our first child would be okay was heartbreaking but the support Ronald McDonald House gave us was amazing.”

It was touch and go for the brave three-month-old but thanks to the charity, Steve and Abigail were never separated from him.

Steve said: “Myself and Abigail took it in turns to stay near the hospital and it really helped us knowing we were only a short distance from Jacob.

“We were fortunate to be able to use this facility and more families like us will benefit from any money we raise.

“He’s the happiest child you could ever see now, he’s a bit of a daddy’s boy.”

Jacob, now aged 19 months, has fully recovered from his operation.

The resilient toddler suffers from Global Development Delay and attends Playsteps Day Nursery which is helping him reach his developmental milestones.

Steve, who came up with the idea for the bike ride alongside close friend Andy Wollen, said his main motivation during the epic ride will be helping others through the charity.

“None of us are particularly keen cyclists so this is going to be a challenge,” he said.

“Thinking about the charity will get me through. They provided support at such a difficult time, this is the least we can do.”

Steve will be joined by friend Andy, whose eight-year-old daughter, Jordanne, died in 2001.

He now lives in Holland and always wanted to do something in Jordanne's memory one day, so will be raising money for Brimble Hill School in Redhouse.

During a visit from Steve last year Andy said that he was now ready, so they put their heads together and came up with the idea of the bike ride.

Andy said of his chosen charity: “Brimble Hill is such a fantastic school and you never know when you are going to need them. They gave Jordanne such wonderful days in the very short time she was with us.”

The event starts The Merlin, Drove Road, before a 5am breakfast and minibus ride to Bournemouth.

Riders hope to complete the ride by 7pm before a band, raffle, auction and buffet at The Merlin.

Visit www.justgiving.com/Steven-Bell11, or mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/andywollen1