AN ABERGAVENNY student is preparing to take part in a 20-mile bike ride two years after undergoing life-saving heart surgery.

Ewan Ryan, of Fforest Coalpit, has signed up to complete the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling’s leisure ride on Saturday and raise £500 for the North Gwent Cardiac Rehabilitation charity which supported him in his recovery.

Mr Ryan, 22, who is studying arboriculture at the University of Worcester, contracted endocarditis – a bacterial infection of the heart – at the age of 20.

He said: “I was working in Waitrose supermarket and planning to start my university course in September 2013 when I became seriously ill.

“I was given intravenous antibiotics but it was discovered that the illness has severely damaged my heart.”

Mr Ryan was admitted to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny before being transferred to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff for a week. He had life-saving six-hour heart surgery at the Bristol Heart Institute in July 2013.

“When I came out of hospital I was too weak to walk down the street without losing my breath,” he added.

“This is where the North Gwent Cardiac Rehab came in. I attended two classes a week for six weeks learning gentle exercises and stretches and improved dramatically. By the end of my time with them, I was able to run around a football pitch comfortably.

“They helped me get back my fitness and confidence after a traumatic time.”

Mr Ewan now takes part in regular physical activities such as tree surgery, climbing, running and cycling.

He said: “I’m cycling to raise money for the people that helped me get to a point where I could do this.”

Mr Ewan will be joined in the event by his father Dean Ryan and friends Sam Hobson and George Pickering. He has so far raised £240 and will donate the cash towards new equipment for the team.

The Abergavenny Festival of Cycling has made the North Gwent Rehabilitation Team its official charity for this year. The charity helps people to maintain and improve their fitness and wellbeing following a heart attack or cardiac surgery and those diagnosed with angina.

Festival organiser Bill Owen was one of the charity’s first patients after suffering a heart attack in 1991.

Praising the work of the charity, he said: “The rehab team gave me the support and confidence to return to work.”

HeMr Owen said almost 400 people have entered the leisure ride with more expected to sign up on the day.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday. Events include the Chepstow Grand Prix and town centre community races, mountain bikes on the tumble on August 6; The Wales Open Criterium, youth and traders races on August 7; Iron Man Sportif and biking in Bailey Park on August 8 and The Grand Prix of Wales and Para Grand Prix of Wales, both on August 9.

To sponsor Mr Ryan visit justgiving.com/Ewan-Ryan1

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