The cousin of a Pembrokeshire man left with brain injuries after being attacked is taking on Ironman Wales to raise funds to help his care.

Rory Rogers, aged 28, from Saundersfoot, is now looked after at the Ty Cwm care home, near Carmarthen, where Gary Cunningham visits several times a week.

The pair “grew up like brothers“ in Saundersfoot, said Gary, aged 32, who described his cousin as “an amazing bloke, very happy, very energetic”.

Rory was out in the village for a friend’s birthday in 2013 when he suffered his life-changing injuries.

Said Gary: “There was a scuffle. As Rory was walking away, he was punched in the back of the head, leaving him unable to speak, talk or move because there was a lack of oxygen getting to the brain.”

Now living in Carmarthen, Gary feels passionately about Ty Cwm - run by Leonard Cheshire Disability - where he has got to know a lot of staff and other residents.

He is now fundraising for a hydrotherapy centre at the home for adults with physical disabilities.

“It’s going to make a huge difference to get a hydrotherapy suite,” he said. “We pay extra for Rory to go to hydrotherapy at the moment.

“If it was available at Ty Cwm, all residents could benefit from this.

“It’d be really great, because families could go to it and be involved in their loved ones’ care.”

Gary, who works as a plumber, tiler and electrician, is now putting in hours of training every week in his bid to tackle Ironman Wales.

He will also be cycling 100 miles from Cardiff to Tenby in the Carten 100 in May - an annual event where he was one of the first people to take part 11 years ago - as well as the Swansea half-marathon in June.

“The swimming is the part I’m most nervous about, especially because I had a shoulder operation recently,” he admitted. “But I’m staying cool, calm and positive.

“I do reiki therapy and am very spiritual, in part because of what’s happened to my cousin”.

Gary is calling on local people and businesses to help him reach his fundraising target of £1,000.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Gary-Cunningham11