A NINE-year-old Wiveliscombe boy who was born ten weeks prematurely is saddling up to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

Max Hannaford, who goes to Wiveliscombe Primary School, is set to cycle from his home to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and all the way back again – a total of 23 miles – to raise cash for Musgrove’s Special Care Baby Unit on March 14.

Max was hoping to raise £200 for the unit to show how grateful he is for the care he received at such an early age, but he has already passed that target and raised over £400 so far.

He said: “I’m doing this because I spent three weeks in the neonatal unit, and I want to show my appreciation for all the work the doctors and nurses did to help me become the healthy nineyear-old I am today.

“I heard something on the radio about someone raising money for the unit and I thought ‘why don’t I do that’?

“I’m very excited about the bike ride and really looking forward to it.”

Max’s mum, Lisa, who will be joining him on the journey, said: “I’m very proud of him – he’s a good boy.”