WHEN Charles Salter and wife Siobahn were told their child could have cystic fibrosis, they feared the worst.

A scan at 16 weeks showed Jools had a bright red bowel which could signal the debilitating condition or the genetic Edwards Syndrome, which has a low survival rate.

Mrs Salter said: “It was devastating. The worst thing was the Edwards Syndrome as he could have died at birth.

“We had to look into how we would cope and what support we would have got and how to cope with children with disabilities. It was terrifying.”

Mr Salter said: “You go on the Internet and have a look and see what it all entails. And then you start to think about things like getting different cars.

“Life is hard enough having young children so you wonder how they cope with it and any help they can get is good.

“This opened my eyes to the world of families with disabled children and the support that they receive.”

However, Jools was born four months ago without any disabilities. But the experience stayed with Mr and Mrs Salter, of Bostock Road, Abingdon.

Now Mr Salter, 39, will join charity Scope’s London to Paris 24 cycle rally in June.

Mr Salter, who works in Waitrose and is a member of the town’s Freewheeling cycle group, said: “Jools was given the all clear but this did not stopped me wanting to help disabled children and their families.

“So when the chance to do the ride came up I felt I have to jump on my bike and do what I love doing. It will be challenging but I wanted to do something for families with disabled children.”

Mrs Salter added: “I am so proud he is doing this. It is going to be challenging for him but he feels so strongly about it.”

Mr Salter is aiming to raise £1,000 by the June 24 challenge.

To donate go to justgiving.com/ charles-salter or call 01235 520826.