Mostyn Carthew was born in 2010 with a rare genetic disorder called x-linked agammaglobulinemia(“XLA”).  By the age of 7 he was chronically unwell, failing to thrive and being fed intravenously. At 8 he received a life-saving bone marrow transplant at The Great North Children’s Hospital. 

Wanting to “give back” to the local NHS children’s ward which cared for him through most of his life, Mostyn and his family are fund raising to support children’s services at the Swansea Bay University Health Board.

On Saturday 28^th May 2022, Mostyn, his dad Rich and big sister Isobel will embark on a 530 kilometre bicycle ride from Mostyn, an estate in Flintshire, North Wales to Carthew, a small village in Cornwall, England.

We aim to establish a sustainable source of income for the ward, by encouraging 1000 people to donate just £1 per month to the charity by setting up a standing order, but if you would prefer to make a one time donation we'd be just as grateful.

XLA

Mostyn was diagnosed with this disorder at 9-months old. Initially he was treated by receiving a weekly infusion of antibodies, which replaced some of those his body could not manufacture naturally. 

At the time this treatment was believed to be an effective one, however this was not to be the case for Mostyn. He was repeatedly hospitalized for infections and viruses. In around 2016 Mostyn contracted the Norovirus. It quickly became chronic. Mostyn was critically unwell, failing to thrive. He was being fed firstly by a nasogastric tube, then when that did not stop his decline, a central line was inserted and he had to be fed intravenously. This was not sustainable and his parents were given the devasting news that he was not expected to survive to adulthood.

At the time, although it was known that a full bone marrow transplant could effectively “cure” an XLA patient, it was not a sanctioned treatment, the procedure being considered too risky. 

Mostyn was the first UK patient to undergo transplant for the purpose of treating XLA and it was a success! Without this debilitating condition his body was then able to fight the Norovirus that was causing him so much suffering. 

These days Mostyn is a robust 12-year old, growing like a weed and getting stronger each day. The transformation is extraordinary. He loves Scouts, playing rugby, swimming and of course cycling. 

THE RIDE

Day 1 28/05/2022 Mostyn Hall to LLandysilio - 89km

Day 2 29/05/2022 Llandysilio to Allensmore - 108km

Day 3 30/05/2022 Allensmore to Bristol - 90km

Day 4 02/06/2022 Bristol to Hockholler - 80km

Day 5 03/06/2022 Hockholler to Princetown - 85km

Day 6 04/06/2022 Princetown to Carthew - 75km

Whichever way you donate, the money will go directly to the paediatric wards of Morriston Hospital

Oakwood Ward, Morriston Hospital YH16