A DAD-OF-THREE is halfway to completing a gruelling fundraiser for the charity that helped his daughter during her time in hospital.

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

The self-employed architect decided to challenge himself in 2018 after being inspired by the charity’s work while his daughter Sophie, 10, underwent hospital treatment.

Sophie, who has a 15-year-old sister Emily and an eight-year-old brother Oliver, fell ill just before Christmas last year with acute appendicitis and was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC).

While she was there, Chris saw first-hand the role the charity plays.

The 41-year-old said of his daughter’s illness: “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.”

He hailed the “incredible support” from ECHC.

Mr Rhodes, of Orchardfield, added: “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, 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 a challenge which combines his determination to get fitter with the goal of raising money for the charity.

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

Chris is also trying to run 1,000km in a year and attends various 5k and 10k runs in-between completing his challenges. 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.

He added: “Summer will be an intense period for me as this is when most obstacle courses take place.

“I’m loving every minute of it. It’s a lot easier to dig deep at these events when you know there is a good cause behind you and everyone has been so encouraging.

“Our time in RHSC made us extremely grateful for the extra little things that we just never expected.”

Sue Diamond, community fundraising manager at ECHC, said Chris was a “real-life action hero”, adding: “His challenge takes huge commitment, organisation and effort and we would like to express our thanks to him and all those who are supporting him to do this.

“The funds Chris raises will help to ensure other children can have a more positive experience of hospital, just like Sophie did.”

Chris’s fundraising target is £2,018 and he has so far reached £650. To donate, visit give.everydayhero.com/uk/18for18