Bereaved dad pushes himself to limit for stillbirth research
Halifax dad Ben Moorhouse is to take on two extreme physical challenges in just one week to raise vital funds for stillbirth research led by researchers at The University of 蝌蚪窝视频 and 蝌蚪窝视频 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), in memory of his stillborn daughter, Kallipateira.
Despite tearing his right knee ligament just eight weeks ago, the customer service officer 鈥� who works at a Halifax Housing Association 鈥� will walk 120 miles nonstop, without sleep.
Starting at the Angel of the North in Gateshead on Saturday 12 July, 42-year-old Ben will make his way to Tommy鈥檚 Rainbow Clinic and Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital 鈥� the specialist unit that helped save his son鈥檚 life.
Just seven days later, after flying to Rhodes, Ben will climb the steep mountain road to Prophet Elias Monastery in Faliraki, Greece an exhausting 50 times 鈥� a gruelling test of endurance with no shade and where temperatures are likely to soar above 40掳C.
Ben is aiming to raise 拢20,000 for Professor Alex Heazell, Director of the Tommy鈥檚 Stillbirth Research Centre and the University of 蝌蚪窝视频-based team leading UK research to reduce preventable stillbirths and support families through pregnancy after loss.
Ben and his partner Gaynor Thompson lost their daughter Kallipateira to a preventable stillbirth at 37 weeks in October 2018. They later suffered a miscarriage in 2019.
Determined to stop other families going through the same heartbreak, they founded The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation, which funds research and supports families affected by baby loss.
In 2020, their son Apollon was born safely at Tommy鈥檚 Rainbow Clinic, thanks to the specialist care of Professor Heazell.
Ben has since taken on multiple extreme solo fundraising feats.
鈥淭his year has brought mountains I鈥檝e had to climb emotionally and physically. Now, I鈥檓 preparing to put myself through the mill 鈥� fuelled by love, grief, and purpose,鈥� said Ben.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no pain greater than holding your dead baby in your arms 鈥� but every step I take will honour Kallipateira and help save other babies across the UK. I will once again show that because of love and a reason why, anything is possible.鈥�
Ben鈥檚 unwavering commitment is extraordinary. His support has already helped us improve care for families and expand our research into stillbirth prevention. These challenges will fund new projects that could save lives
Every day in the UK, eight babies are stillborn 鈥� many of which are preventable.
The funds Ben raises will go directly to Professor Heazell鈥檚 team, who are making groundbreaking progress in understanding stillbirth and supporting parents in pregnancy after loss.
Alex Heazell, who is also Professor of Obstetrics at The University of 蝌蚪窝视频 and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital, part of MFT, said: 鈥淏en鈥檚 unwavering commitment is extraordinary. His support has already helped us improve care for families and expand our research into stillbirth prevention. These challenges will fund new projects that could save lives.鈥�
Dignity Funerals, through Lawrence Funeral Directors Halifax, are proud headline sponsors of Ben鈥檚 2025 challenge.
Stuart Cox, Head of Public Affairs at Dignity, said: 鈥淏en is a true inspiration. We鈥檙e honoured to support The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation and the vital work they do in memory of Kallipateira.鈥�
To support Ben鈥檚 Mission donate now at: