Mike gets on his bike after heart surgery

A DAD is taking on a month-long cycling challenge less than 10 weeks after undergoing open heart surgery.

- BY ALEX SCAPENS

Mike Keeling, 65, from Macclesfield, is in the midst of Cycling UK's Pedal for your Medal - covering as many miles as possible during May.

It is part of his recovery after he underwent a major operation to have a heart valve replaced on March 1 - the beginning of two weeks in hospital.

Mike had been diagnosed with an aortic stenosis in January 2023, meaning his aorta had calcified to such an extent that it only opened part way, limiting heart and blood efficiency. He had originally seen the doctor for a chest infection and after his condition worsened Mike was told to undergo surgery sooner rather than later at the end of last year.