Family for Hire . . . Ffos Las boss Kevin pays thanks ahead of big day
Family means everything to Kevin Hire, which is why he is determined to make sure this weekend’s Family Fun Day at Ffos Las Racecourse is one to savour.
Hundreds of families are expected to turn out for the track’s popular celebration on Sunday (April 12) , but for general manager Kevin, this year’s event carries a far deeper, more personal significance.
Just six months ago, the 62-year-old was preparing for life-saving open-heart surgery.
Now, as he continues his recovery, he is back at the helm - determined to deliver a raceday built around the very thing that carried him through his toughest moments: family.
“It hasn’t just changed how I look at my work,” he says. “It’s changed how I look at everything.”
The turning point came suddenly. A routine walk across the racecourse last spring left him struggling to breathe, with his vision blurred by “floaters” and his chest tightening alarmingly.
“I walked about 150 yards and suddenly I was severely out of breath,” he recalls. “I’d never experienced anything like it. I knew something was wrong.”
Tests initially suggested a minor issue, but further examination revealed something far more serious: severe aortic stenosis, combined with the need for a double bypass.
“I was told my heart was working at 61% capacity and would drop to 40% within a year, then to 20%,” he says.
“There was a serious risk of loss of life.”
For Kevin and his wife Nicola, the diagnosis was a shock that brought everything into sharp focus.
“That moment, getting back into the car and going home—we just didn’t know what was ahead,” he says.
In October, he underwent a six-hour operation at Morriston Hospital, where surgeons replaced his aortic valve and carried out the bypass procedure.
Within days, he was on the long road to recovery, returning home after a week in hospital.
But the physical impact was significant. An 18-inch incision down his leg and a chest opened for surgery—what he wryly calls membership of the “zipper club”—left him with limited mobility and a long healing process still ongoing.
“You go from being independent to needing help with everything,” he says.
Through it all, it was his family who became his anchor.
“Family is special,” says Kevin.
“It made me realise the pain they went through. I was going through it, but they were going through it ten times worse because there was nothing they could do.”
His daughters, Mali and Nia, were a constant presence and they even gave him a Ted Lasso inspired toy soldier as a protective charm.
But it was his wife Nicola who became the cornerstone of his recovery, taking time off work to care for him full-time.
“I can’t thank her enough,” he says. “She stayed with me constantly. We went into the unknown together, but we came out the other side.”
That experience has reshaped his outlook—not just on life, but on the role Ffos Las can play in bringing people together.
“That’s why these race days are so very, very important to me,” he explains.
“It’s tough out there. The cost of living is going up and every penny counts. We want families to come here and have a fantastic day without worrying about the cost.”
Sunday’s Family Fun Day has been designed with exactly that in mind. Children go free with a paying adult, meaning a family of six can attend for the price of just two adult tickets, while a wide range of activities are included at no extra charge.
Among the highlights is a special appearance from the K-Pop Superstars, who will perform live, meet fans and pose for photos throughout the day—offering young racegoers a rare chance to interact with their favourite characters.
Alongside the entertainment, there will be live spring jump racing, giving families the opportunity to experience the excitement of the sport in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Away from the track, children can enjoy go-karting, face painting, funfair rides and outdoor activities, with rides priced at just £1—far below the typical cost at travelling fairs.
Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own picnics, helping to make the day as affordable as possible, while a wet weather guarantee ensures that if rain falls during the event, racegoers will be invited back to another fixture free of charge.
For Hire, the emphasis is firmly on creating lasting memories.
“To see the kids smiling and enjoying themselves—that’s what it’s all about,” he says.
“If families can come here, spend time together and make memories, then we’ve done our job.”
It is a simple ambition, but one shaped by extraordinary circumstances.
After months of recovery, supported every step of the way by those closest to him, Kevin knows better than most the value of time spent together.
And this Sunday, at Ffos Las, that message will be at the heart of everything.
