Dad steps into fetal health research fundraiser challenge

University of ManchesterAugust 13, 2024

The father of a stillborn baby girl is to run up the 300 steps of the famous Tsambika Monastery on the Greek Island of Rhodes 100 times- – to raise money for a University of Manchester research centre.

Forty-one year old Ben Moorhouse from Halifax will take on the dangerous challenge in gruelling temperatures on August 17 in memory of his daughter Kallipateira who was stillborn at 37 weeks in October 2018.

Ben has already made history on the Greek island when in August 2021 he became the only person to walk around the full perimeter of the island nonstop – a total of 150 miles in 42 hours.

He has set himself a target of £10,000 for two summer extreme challenges with all funds going to Professor Alexander Heazell and his team at the Tommy’s Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health research Centre to support research and to help save babies’ lives.

In July he completed a 110-mile nonstop walk from Wainhouse Tower in Halifax to Blackpool then onto Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, where Professor Heazell and his team are based.

Ben and his partner Gaynor Thompson launched the Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation charity to help save babies lives through research and support other parents who have experienced the death of a baby.

Ben said “On Saturday I am proud to be able to take on my next extreme challenge on the beautiful and magical island of Rhodes for my daughter Kallipateira.

“I am ready and prepared to put myself through the mill again on Saturday in the current extreme heat and humidity in Rhodes.

“Thankfully most people who see my extreme challenges will not have had to experience the devastation of holding their dead baby or child.

“I ask for the public’s kindness in please supporting me with a donation no matter how big or small. I am just a normal dad trying my best to make sure my baby girl did not die for nothing.”

Every day in the UK eight babies stillborn on average, many which are preventable. These are beautiful fully developed babies who should be alive.

“As a grieving dad who each day feels the pain of Kallipateira’s devastating death I must now raise more vital funds for Professor Heazell and his team to support research so that other families nationally don’t have to experience the pain that we do every day.”

Professor Alexander Heazell, Director of the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre said: “It was great to be able to walk the last 33 miles of Ben’s Walk from Preston to Manchester with him in July.

“I am always amazed at the depth and strength of his commitment to raise funds in memory of Kallipateira.

“The money Ben has raised previously has funded projects to understand partners needs in pregnancy after loss and to improve understanding of stillbirth risks in women who don’t speak English.

This important work comes from donations, so please support Ben in this second extreme challenge of the summer to support work that saves babies lives and improves care.”

Dignity Funerals are the headline sponsor of the extreme challenge walk.

Stuart Cox, Head of Public Affairs at Dignity Funerals, who are sponsoring the challenge said: “As a socially responsible business Dignity is delighted to continue our support for the Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation.

“After Ben initially approached us, we could immediately see the value of the work the Foundation does and his inspiring enthusiasm for fundraising. We all wish him the best of luck with his latest challenges.”