Bereaved dad from Halifax to take on epic endurance challenge to raise vital funds for stillbirth research

On July 19, Ben Moorhouse will walk 260 lengths of the track at the ancient stadium of Rhodes, built in the 3rd century BC, in temperatures that can exceed 40 degrees.

The ancient stadium track is fully exposed, with no shade, and intense heat reflecting from the stone - conditions some have described as “like an oven”.

The challenge is dedicated to Ben and his partner Gaynor Thompson’s daughter, Kallipateira Rodothea Moorhouse, who was stillborn in October 2018 at 37 weeks of pregnancy, just two weeks before her due date. Her death was preventable.

In May 2019, Ben and Gaynor also experienced a miscarriage at nine weeks.

“The devastation of losing Kallipateira has never left me,” said Ben. “The pain does not go away – you simply learn how to live alongside it.”

In May 2020, Ben and his partner welcomed their rainbow baby, Apollon Alexandros Moorhouse, born early at 35 weeks at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester.

Apollon received specialist care through Tommy’s Rainbow Clinic and the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, under Professor Alexander Heazell.

“Quite simply, without that research being put into practice, Apollon would not be here today,” Ben said.

“The 260 lengths at the ancient stadium are deliberately symbolic – relentless repetition, extreme heat, physical exhaustion, and mental endurance, mirroring both the ancient Olympic history of the site and the endurance required to live with grief after the death of a baby.”

This will not be Ben’s first extreme challenge on the island of Rhodes. In 2021, he became the only person to walk around the entire island of Rhodes non-stop.

He has also taken on other history making extreme challenges on the island.

All funds raised from the 2026 challenge will support Professor Alexander Heazell and his team in Manchester to reduce the number of preventable stillbirths.

Ben added: “I would have given my life for Kallipateira to be OK.

"Now, I must be her voice. Every step I take in the ancient stadium is for Kallipateira, for Apollon, and for the families who should never have to experience this pain.

"Every baby deserves a chance at life. Kallipateira’s birthday is the 26th, so I thought to add the zero on to make the total lengths 260. I am proud to be taking on this extreme challenge in such a historic location, adding my own small piece of history in honour of Kallipateira’s legacy.

"I will make sure she did not die for nothing.”

Donations can be made via JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/page/kmf2026.