WHEN tiny Dylan Jones was born he was given little hope of survival.

Doctors said he had a 10% chance of living after being born with a life-limiting condition that affects only one person in 2,500.

Now, almost six months on, Dylan is at the family home in Bradford-on-Tone and battling the rare hernia that almost ended his life before it had started.

“We’re very lucky,” said his father Gwynfor, 37. “Times were miserable but we’re very lucky and we have endless people to thank. You couldn’t tell Dylan’s ill unless you knew.”

Dylan’s illness emerged at his mum’s, Julie’s, 20-week scan, where it was revealed he had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

He was taken to King’s College Hospital, London, for a specialist procedure to block his windpipe, in a bid to increase his chances of living.

Julie, an oncologist at the Beacon Centre in Taunton under her maiden name, Walther, said: “There were several times that were really hard.

“From the scan onwards it was really just waiting and not knowing what was to come – it was a step into the unknown and that was the most difficult and scary part.

“It’s still worrying now because you don’t know what’s going to happen. If he gets a cough or a cold he could end up back in hospital.”

Julie, 39, had always planned to give birth to Dylan at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, as anywhere else would have reduced his survival chances.

But when she went into labour in Manchester two weeks early, alarm bells rang. “When my waters broke early, that’s when it got terrifying,” said Julie.

“It was time for the rollercoaster to begin. I knew inside of me he was safe and where we stood but after that we had no idea.

“My friend had to drive us to Bristol after things calmed down, where he was eventually born.”

In aid of those who helped Dylan get to where he is today, Gwynfor will embark on a 180-mile cycle ride from Manchester to Bristol.

Money will be donated to CDH UK (mycharitypage.com/dylanjones) and Ronald McDonald House, Bristol (justgiving.com/dylanhenryjones).