Pete Cleverly from George White Motors, left, with John Morgan and Steve ChinnockTHE family of a boy who died just before his first birthday are going on a 3,500-mile trip in memory of their 'little fighter'.

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

Now his dad, grandad and other members of his family and their friends are going on a sponsored motorbike ride around Europe to raise money for the hospital which cared for him.

His father John Morgan, 37, of Ingles-ham Road in Penhill, said: "I'm really looking forward to it.

"It will be a good experience and it's for a good cause.

"When you lose somebody they don't just go away. It's a healing process."

Jaidon's grandad Steve Chinnock, 42, of Pritchard Close, Stratton, said: "He was great.

"He was a very good-natured baby and always stayed in good spirits a little fighter."

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 John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where he died during his second operation just before his first birthday.

"The staff were really good," said Mr Chinnock.

"We really appreciated their support and we knew they were after money for equipment so we started thinking about fund- raising more or less straight away."

The family has already raised several hundred pounds and is now aiming for £2,000 to buy a heart monitor for the hospital.

Mr Chinnock and Mr Morgan set off next Friday with 10 members of their family and friends to travel 3,500 miles around France and Spain on a sponsored motorbike ride.

But they are hoping for a new arrival in the family before they go Jaidon's mum Shara Vines, 22, is pregnant with a baby girl expected on May 30.

Mr Chinnock has already raised £1,000 at his work, Wagon Automotive in Wantage. George White Superbike Centre in Swindon has donated a support van to go with the group in case of breakdowns.

The other riders in the group are Michael, Dave, Justin, Lee and Alison Wollen, Ian and Steve Corum, James Tunney, Chris Kilminster and Carol Page.

When they return, on Saturday, June 4, they will go to the Bakers Arms in Stratton where there will be an all-day fundraising event with bands, a bouncy castle and raffle. Everyone is welcome.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the group should ring Mr Chinnock on 07748 624143.