12-year-old footballer raises £2,300 for children’s wards outside play area

It was amazing to follow young footballer, Reiss Wheatley-Crane’s progress as he completed a tough 100km running challenge in June fundraising for the Northamptonshire Health Charity children’s wards outside play area appeal at Northampton General Hospital.

12-year-old Reiss has raised a truly incredible £2,300 for this new activity and play area, which will be developed between Disney and Paddington wards at the hospital.  We had really been looking forward to the final leg of his challenge on 29th June because we were able to assemble with some of his lovely family outside the children’s wards to cheer him over the finish line.

Reiss was born prematurely and spent the first 6 weeks of his life on Gosset Ward and wanted to raise money for the children’s wards at the same hospital that helped him 12 years ago.

The final run from Northampton School for Boys to the hospital was made even more special for Reiss thanks to Child Health Matron, Caroline Blenkhorn being able to bring out some of the children’s wards staff to also cheer him on.  Caroline also kindly thanked Reiss for raising this fantastic amount and supporting the children’s wards.

The new improved space will be equipped to provide a range of outside play activities as well as new options for physiotherapy.  It will also have vastly improved accessibility for all children, which will enable parents and carers with physical disabilities to take their children out to play.

 

Earlier in June during his challenge, we were delighted to have been invited to Northampton School for Boys to cheer Reiss on as he added 4km towards that EPIC 100km total.  He was joined by some of his class mates and Northampton Town FC Academy players and was very happy to promote the challenge and why it was so important them.

Richard Bernard, Headmaster at the school said of the small fun run:

“When the Under 9 Northampton Town Academy team heard about the tough challenge that Reiss from the Under 12s was undertaking for such a good cause they were very keen to support him. Not only did the squad want to contribute their pocket money but they also wanted to run with Reiss and it’s fantastic to see players from both the U12 and the U9 squads out this afternoon (albeit socially distanced) to help Reiss chalk off at least 2km of his incredible 100km target! Several of the boys running today have benefitted from the outstanding care of the NGH Children’s Wards in the past and are delighted to have the opportunity to give something positive back! NSB School are also extremely proud of Reiss for taking on such a difficult but inspirational assignment.“

The whole approach that Reiss took to this challenge has been so impressive and we know he had some very early starts running at 6 am before school.  By the time he reached that finish line at the hospital, he had actually run 101.8km in total too.  What an amazing set of achievements at just 12 years old – completing the 100km challenge AND raising £2,300 to help children in hospital.

Sending you the biggest thanks Reiss, for supporting our appeal. You are an INCREDIBLE young man!

Have you been inspired by Reiss’ story?  You can still donate to his Just Giving page.  Or, find out all the other ways you can get involved by taking on your own challenge or making a donation at our appeal page.