A FOREST family jumped on their bikes to raise £1,100 for the British Heart Foundation.

Lydney postman Terry Beddis, his son Josh and his girlfriend Jess White rode from London to Brighton to support a cause close to their heart.

Last year Terry's eldest son, Dominic, underwent his third open heart operation at Southampton General Hospital after being admitted six weeks earlier with both pneumonia and endocarditis; a rare condition that is a potentially fatal type of heart infection.

Terry said: "My youngest son George, who suggested the ride, was sadly unable to join us due to another commitment. Dominic, who is now aged 27, had his first operation aged just three and another in his teens.

"Ironically, my wife Ro and I rode in the charity event while living in London – a few years before Dominic was born – not knowing that one day our son would be diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

"The condition has not stopped Dominic achieving some notable things from university to working in television. He is also a huge music fan and played at famous venues including Moles in Bath and The Dublin Castle in Camden, London.

"We'd like to thank everybody for their generous donations. We are planning our next ride from London to Bath this October."

Anybody who would like to donate can do so by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/joshua-beddis/">www.justgiving.com/joshua-beddis/