FOR many of us a 30-mile bike ride would be a challenge.

For a man in need of a heart transplant, its far more daunting.

But Lee Bennett is determined to take part and is appealing for support as he raises money for the British Heart Foundation.

Lee, from Ross-on-Wye, has already had open-heart surgery after being born with a rare condition.

The 40-year-old father of three has congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA), heart failure and right ventricular dysfunction.

Despite these life threatening ailments, which eventually will require a transplant, Lee is taking part in the Cotswold Bike Ride in May.

Lee's condition his heart cannot pump enough blood around his body, causing severe fatigue and heart failure.

His heart valve began to leak in his teens and by the twenties fatigue hit him 'like a brick wall.'

By the time his first child was walking and running around, Lee couldn’t keep up with him.

Following an infection of the heart chamber lining, he underwent open heart surgery to replace his heart valve with a mechanical one, and underwent cardiac rehab run by the BHF.

For a while he could walk without getting breathless, climb the stairs without pain and, and run around with his son.

But it did not last long and and he was diagnosed with second degree heart block. Lee admits; “What upset me the most was not being able to run around with my boys. We had three by that point and it hurts to watch other fathers run around chasing their kids when I just can’t do it.”

Despite Lee’s low tolerance to exercise, cycling is the one thing he can do. Although he tires easily on cycles it is his only form of exercise. Lee and wife Nicola cycle three times a week.

Lee said: “The British Heart Foundation is a fantastic charity that helps to beat heart disease. I want to give back and help raise money.”

“This is my story, my life. This condition will never get better or be cured; it is something I have to live with. However, I am adamant that I won’t let this get to me. I will always be positive and I’m determined to see my boys have families of their own.”

Liam Riley, Cycling Events Manager at the BHF, said; “Diseases such as Lee’s and many others including strokes and vascular dementia, currently kill 1 in 4 people in the UK every year.’

To sponsor Lee go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lee-bennett20?utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_content=Lee-Bennett20&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Sharethis&utm_term=GPYK7GQpJ

To take part in a BHF bike rides go to: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/events/bike-rides