A local fundraiser has vowed to get back on track after undergoing an operation following a fall on the Long Course Weekend.

Saundersfoot’s Gary Cunningham was on course to take part in September’s Ironman Wales event, after a series of fundraising challenges to raise money to help build a hydrotherapy centre at Ty Cwm Care Home run by Leonard Cheshire Disability in Carmarthen, where his cousin Rory Rogers resides, when he was derailed on the Cycleguard Wales Sportive section of the Long Course Weekend on Saturday.

Gary recently completed the Carten100 cycle ride from Cardiff to Tenby, the Swansea half marathon, and the 2.4 mile swim on Friday night as part of the Long Couse, before his fall.

“I was 60 miles in at Stepaside turning a sharp corner towards Summerhill, went into the corner and both wheels slipped from under me and I slammed on my hip,” he said.

“I knew straight away I couldn’t carry on and it was in a bad way, I couldn’t bend my knee or put any weight on my left leg.”

Race marshals turned up very quickly and called for an ambulance, with Gary going on to discover that he’d fractured his femur, undergoing a pin and plate operation on Monday.

“I’d like to thank the marshals, ambulance volunteers and paramedic on the scene, as well as all of the nurses, doctors and staff at Withybush, my family and girlfriend for their support, all of my friends sending best wishes and also everyone who has sponsored me and who are still sponsoring. Ironman hasn’t seen the last of me!” remarked a defiant Gary.

His friends, brothers Gareth and Rhys Hunt, of Saundersfoot, Geoff Marsh and Adam Uka have all vowed to take on Ironman Wales and carry on with Gary’s fundraising quest for TeamRogers, which has so far surpassed his original target of £3,500, and has now been upped to £4,000.

“They still need that hydrotherapy pool, so Gareth and I are going to continue Gary’s good work and help to raise a few quid!” said Rhys.

You can check out the fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/Gary-Cunningham11