A FIRST-time uncle is set to take on an epic trek to raise money for the neonatal unit which helped his nephew.

Rafferty Durling was born six weeks early after his mum Lucy was rushed into hospital for an emergency Caesarean section.

After seeing first hand the work the staff at Basingstoke hospital did to support Rafferty, who is now seven-months-old, his uncle Rob Silvester, from Kempshott, wants to give something back.

A keen cyclist, Rob is set to embark on his toughest challenge to date, taking part in the Dragon Ride L’Etape Wales.

The ride will see Rob cycle roughly 184 miles and 15,000 ft of climbing - all in one day.

Rob said: “I have done 100-mile rides before, but never anything like this.

“I have been trying to train as much as possible for this event, going on longer rides and cycling on different inclines, but you never know until you get there how tough it is going to be.”

In his bid to support the neonatal unit at the hospital, Rob aims to raise £2,000 which will help support the team in a range of ways.

“When you are there, and you are in that moment of seeing someone you love come into the world early there isn’t much you can do, and you feel a little bit helpless,” added the 28-year-old.

“While Rafferty had everything, we could hope there were extra resources which they had run out of such as a crochet octopus which premature babies can grip onto; it imitates the umbilical cord. Then I saw one of those novelty cheques on the wall and it just clicked.

“We all know how stretched the NHS is and anything I can do to say thank you on behalf of my family then I will.”

Rob sets off from Port Talbot on June 10 at 6.45am and it is expected to take him 12 hours to complete the challenge.

To support Rob, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-silvester1.