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In July 2013, Matt's son (Ethan) became critically unwell with a viral pneumonia aged a little over one. When he deteriorated at his local hospital he needed transferring to the specialist paediatric intensive care unit at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Only a select few children's hospitals have a PICU. The North West and North Wales Paediatric Transfer Service (NWTS) oversees the transfer of the sickest children from local hospitals to PICUs in this region. The NWTS bring a mobile PICU to the child and oversees their treatment and transfer to the specialist hospital. It was the NWTS that came to Ethan's aid when he needed it most and their expertise and compassion are something Ethan's parents and friends will be eternally grateful for. Ethan made a full recovery and is soon to turn two years old!

The only way we can repay just a fraction of what the NWTS did for Ethan is to raise as much money as possible for this invaluable service. We ourselves are Doctors (representing the fields of chest medicine, accident & emergency and intensive care) and we all know the incredible value of having an expert team to call upon when dealing with a sick child.

So, the four of us (Ethan's dad and friends) are taking on the challenge of an ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bile, 26.2 mile run) on the 20th July in Bolton. We hope to raise as much money as possible for the NWTS and raise awareness of this fantastic team, and all the teams like it around the UK. We are extremely grateful for any donations to this wonderful and personal cause!

All money raised will go directly to the NWTS via the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity a subsidiary charity of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity

Matt, Jon, Matt & Tom