A BRECON grandfather has begun an epic cycle ride in memory of his grandson who passed away with blood cancer in March aged seven months.

Martin Skinner, who is 66, embarked on the ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats last Wednesday, on the first anniversary of his grandson Toby Hambrook-Skinner’s birth on August 16, 2016.

His ride will raise funds for a charity set up in Toby’s memory.

Toby’s father, Nathan Hambrook-Skinner, was a pupil at Brecon’s Christ College. He and Toby’s mother, Verity, both now live in London.

Martin, who is a retired head teacher and member of Gwent Mountaineering Club, is cycling to raise awareness and funds for Toby Hambrook-Skinner’s Brighter Future Fund at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which was the hospital where Toby was treated in his final months.

Toby’s father, Nathan, said: “Losing Toby was unthinkable, unendurable and just agony. Great Ormond Street Hospital did everything they could to help Toby. No stone was left unturned.

“Fundamentally, Toby’s cancer was horribly rare. And the treatment too aggressive. It doesn’t seem right that today children are still dying from leukaemia or its treatment. It has to change. We need kinder cures. We need more reliable cures. And we need to give the doctors the research and tools they need to make this happen.”

As part of the solo cycle, Mr Skinner plans to divert from the established Land’s End to John O’Groats route by getting out his walking boots and climbing Mount Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis.

His aim is to finish the trek in three weeks, reaching John O’Groats, more than 1,000 miles from his startpoint, on Wednesday, September 6.

Before setting off, Martin said: “Toby lived for only 212 days, 163 of which he spent in Great Ormond Street Hospital having been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Despite receiving incredible care his treatment was punishing for such a small baby and it was heart-breaking for his parents.

“He fought so hard and for so long and every minute of his suffering was shared by his adoring Mum and Dad, who did everything they could to alleviate his pain.

“Even during periods of pain and discomfort Toby was so generous with his smiles and gave so much hope to all the people who loved him. The doctors and nurses at GOSH could not have done more, giving Toby amazing treatments to help him fight this cruel disease.

“As Toby’s grandfather, I want to commemorate his short life by raising money for research in the hospital which tried so hard to save his life.”

Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London need funding to trial innovative approaches to the care of children with cancer.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in children in the UK and money from Toby’s fund will go towards researching cures for the rarest types of cancer.

Martin has set himself a £5,000 target and had already raised more than a quarter of that before setting off.

Anyone willing to support Martin’s fundraising effort can do so by making a donation to Toby’s Brighter Future Fund by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/lejogfortoby.