Halifax dad to face 40 degree heat in Greece to honour stillborn daughter

This Sunday, Ben Moorhouse will spend hours walking the fully exposed central track of the ancient stadium at Monte Smith, where temperatures are expected to reach 35 to 40 degrees, with no shade, relentless sunshine and intense heat radiating from the ancient stone beneath his feet.

Every one of the 260 lengths has a meaning: the number honours the birthday of Ben and his partner Gaynor’s daughter, Kallipateira Rodothea Moorhouse, who was stillborn on 26 October 2018 at 37 weeks of pregnancy, just two weeks before her due date.

Like many stillbirths, her death was preventable. The couple also suffered a miscarriage at nine weeks in May 2019.

"As I held Kallipateira, I promised her that I would make sure she did not die for nothing,” said Ben.

In May 2020, Ben and Gaynor welcomed their rainbow baby, Apollon Alexandros Moorhouse, after receiving specialist care from Professor Alexander Heazell and his team at the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre and Tommy’s Rainbow Clinic at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester.

"Like Kallipateira, most stillbirths are preventable,” Ben said. “These are beautiful, healthy babies who should be alive. Our son Apollon is here today because of Professor Alexander Heazell and his team’s pioneering research.

"Without that research, he would not be here today.”

In 2021, Ben became the only person to walk around the entire island of Rhodes non-stop, covering 150 miles continuously to raise awareness and funds for stillbirth research. He has since completed further history-making challenges on the island.

During this year’s challenge, the 53rd length will be dedicated to Ben’s close friend, Lawrence Mann, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Ben said: "I am incredibly proud to take on this extreme challenge at the beautiful and historic ancient stadium of Rhodes.

"I hope it creates another small piece of history on the island while ensuring Kallipateira’s legacy continues to save babies’ lives.

"The heat will be relentless. The conditions will be unforgiving. Every step will test me physically and mentally.

"But nothing compares to the pain of holding your dead baby in your arms. Every single one of those 260 lengths will be walked out of pure love.

"As I held Kallipateira, I promised her she would not die for nothing. On 19 July I will keep that promise once again. This challenge is for Kallipateira, for Apollon, for Lawrence, and for every family whose baby should have come home.

"I look forward to returning to my second home, the island of Rhodes, where I will honour my beautiful daughter.”

Professor Alexander Heazell said: "Ben’s determination to face the extreme heat and relentless monotony of 260 lengths in the ancient stadium of Rhodes is a profound testament to his endurance and his love for Kallipateira.

"The grueling training he has put his body through all year shows the lengths he will go to break the silence surrounding stillbirth.

"The funds raised will make a huge difference to our team’s medical research. Ben’s extraordinary resolve is actively helping us pioneer the science that saves babies’ lives and prevents other families from the devastation of stillbirth.

"He carries the thoughts and gratitude of our entire team with him to Rhodes.”

All funds raised will support Professor Alexander Heazell and his team in Manchester, helping to reduce the number of preventable stillbirths and save babies’ lives.

Local business Simprint has supported Ben's mission by producing and donating the official extreme challenge banner that will accompany him at the stadium.

Ben said: "I would like to thank Adam and Dan at Simprint for their continued support of The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation. I will be proud to display the banner on Sunday."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/kmf2026.