Ride in memory of baby Jaidon (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Ride in memory of baby Jaidon

Steve Chinnock and friends who biked more than 3,500 miles for charity Ref: 77767-33THE family of a boy who died just before his first birthday have returned from a 3,500-mile trip in memory of the child.

And when dad, John Morgan, got home he had a baby daughter waiting for him who was born the day before he left.

Mr Morgan, 37, of Inglesham Road, Penhill, said: "If it wasn't for my son I would have pulled out, but I wanted to do this for him."

Jaidon Vines-Morgan was born with a heart defect and died while undergoing the second operation of his short life last June.

His dad, grandad and other family members and their friends went on a sponsored motorbike ride around Europe to raise money for the hospital which cared for him.

Mr Morgan said that while he was worried about leaving girlfriend Shara Vines, 22, and their newborn child, it was something he had to do.

"Shara had her mum and her family with her and we talked about it.

"I'm glad I got to see my daughter before I left because she wasn't due until a couple of days later.

"It was nice to help some other children and give them the chances my son didn't have."

Jaidon's grandad Steve Chinnock, 42, of Pritchard Close, Stratton, said: "We did this for my grandson.

"He was a great little boy and everyone was keen to help, we didn't have to twist any arms."

Jaidon was born with pulmonary atresia, which meant that he had to have an operation on his heart when he was three days old.

He was cared for at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where he died during his second operation just before his first birthday.

The group set off on Friday, May 27 to travel through France and Spain and got back in the early hours of Saturday morning.

They are hoping to have raised £4,000 for the baby unit at the hospital.

Their total was also given a boost by a fun day at the Bakers Arms in Stratton on Saturday.

Mr Chinnock is a regular at the pub and the fun day was enjoyed to the full with a bouncy castle and minimoto bikes being much in demand.

Meanwhile Ms Vines has been looking after their new baby, who the couple are yet to name, with the help of her mum.

Ms Vines said: "It's great.

"I've been staying at my mum's and she's been taking care of us.

"It's upsetting that Jaidon isn't here to see her but I'm happy.

"It gives me something to focus on."

The other riders in the group riding round Europe to raise the cash were Michael, Dave, Justin, Lee and Alison Wollen, Ian and Steve Corum, James Tunney, Chris Kilminster and Carol Page.

Gareth Bethell