A PRESTONPANS couple plan to cycle 1,200km in just nine days to raise money for Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

Chris Roy and Iwona Sztorc will take on the massive challenge as a thank you to the hospital for saving Chris’s life when he was a baby.

Chris, 29, of Dolphingstone View, was born with a rare condition called oesophageal atresia – where his oesophagus went into his lung instead of his stomach.

He was so poorly he was given Last Rites in hospital before undergoing surgery which saved his life.

Chris, who is now a senior designer at Skyscanner, and Iwona, 31, hope their cycle will raise vital funds for the hospital.

It is not the first time Chris has taken to his bike to help the hospital.

Two years ago he undertook a solo cycle from Calais in northern France to Bordeaux, raising nearly £4,000 for his cause.

Now he is being joined on his second adventure by partner Iwona, who is a consultant with a digital marketing company in Edinburgh.

The couple are set to fly out to Spain on Saturday, August 14, to begin their mammoth journey.

Chris said: “The trip will start in Barcelona and follow the coast around the Mediterranean, through France and finally finishing in a small town called Portofino in Italy.

“We aim to cover an average of 130km a day for nine days.” The full route can be viewed at www.cycle-charity.org/category/barcelona-to-portofino Chris credits his experience as a baby for his enthusiasm for keeping fit and inspiring him to raise money for charity.

He said: “Although I was too young to remember what happened, I think hearing that I nearly died has made me more determined to have an active life and make the most of it.” To support Chris and Iwona on their journey go to www.justgiving.com/pedaltoportofino