Chris is Sick Kids' real life action hero

Chris Rhodes, 41, has taken on the #18for18 challenge to raise funds for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).

The self-employed architect from East Linton decided to challenge himself after being inspired by the charity’s work while his daughter, Sophie, ten, underwent hospital treatment.

Sophie fell ill just before Christmas 2017 with acute appendicitis and was rushed into the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where Chris saw first-hand how they helped.

Chris said: “It all happened so fast. From an emergency doctor’s appointment about stomach pain, to rushing to A&E and having our little girl on the operating table all within 24 hours, it was an extremely worrying time.

“Following the operation, Sophie felt really poorly and it was evident that her recovery was going to take a while.

“Sophie was so quiet and too ill to even listen to music or watch movies. She just wasn’t our little feisty red-haired girl, full of chat and character that we’re all used to.

“Hospitals are not often associated with positive experiences. However, we were immediately proven wrong thanks to the incredible support we received from ECHC.

“The Play Team made such a huge difference. They were so attentive and constantly smiling, trying to make her play. They always managed to lift her spirits up, even if it was just through something as simple as blowing bubbles in the room and getting her to pop them with her feet and hands to get her moving again, I actually get very emotional just thinking about it again.”

To show his gratitude, Chris has decided upon the challenge which combines his determination to get fitter with the goal to raise money for ECHC.

He has completed eight obstacle courses to date, including Tough Mudder, Edinburgh’s Toughest, Red Bull Neptune Steps, Tartan Warrior and Rat Race Runstock.

In addition to the obstacle courses, Chris is trying to run 1,000km in a year and attends various 5K and 10K runs in-between his challenge course events.

He trains at least three times a week, playing football and going for regular runs as well as volunteering as an athletics coach for two local clubs.

Chris added: “Summer time will be an intense period for me as this is when most obstacle courses take place. But I’m loving every minute of it.”

Sue Diamond, community fundraising manager at ECHC, said: “Chris is a real-life action hero.”

Chris’s fundraising target for the year is £2,018 and he has so far reached £650. Donate at https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/18for18