Just before Christmas, Sophie was rushed into Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital with suspected acute appendicitis and had to undergo an emergency operation. For father of three Chris, seeing his usually full of life 10-year-old daughter, lying hooked up to various hospital machines was almost too much to bear.

However, thanks to the fantastic work by the staff at Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital, Sophie was back with her family just in time to celebrate Christmas and is now well on the mend. During her time in hospital her spirits were raised by unexpected visits from players from Hearts and Hibs, Edinburgh Rugby and also Indian dancers.

Now in 2018 Chris will take on 18 obstacle course races, to help raise funds as a way of thanks to the hospital for the wonderful care and support Sophie received. So far he has completed three of the 18 races, most recently the Tartan Warrior OCR, in Kincardine, Fife.

“We were really moved by the care and dedication of the whole team at 'Sick Kids', not just the clinical team but the entertainment and play team as well. A simple 'thank you' just couldn't express the depths of our gratitude and we began to wonder how we could perhaps 'help them' to help other sick kids and their families as they had done for us,” explained Chris.

When 2018 arrived I was thinking about what New Year resolution goals I would set myself for getting back into shape, which events and distances would be within my grasp, it was then that #18for'18 was born, to try and successfully complete 18 obstacle course races in 2018 with the added personal goal of hitting 1000 running kilometres too.

I wanted to do what I could to help the Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity continue to be the difference that allows the kids to be 'kids' first and 'sick kids' second."

You can support Chris’ #18for'18 here.