On the 19^th May I will be taking part in a 15 kilometre and 20 obstacle “Rough Runner” event in Oxfordshire, raising money for the Children’s Heart Federation (CHF) for the work they do supporting children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and their families.

As some of you know my 4 year old son Finlay was born with a
condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four defects in the
heart. The CHF have been a valuable resource for information in helping us to understand and manage Finlay’s condition and provides a support network to families supporting children with these conditions. 

This is the first (and by looking at this event, probably the last) time I have ever done this type of activity and I would very much appreciate any support you can provide. 

About Finlay

Finlay was diagnosed antenatally with Tetralogyof Fallot at our twenty-week anomaly scan. He had his first open-heart surgery to repair the four defects at 6 months old and another surgery at 9 months to implant a pacemaker device following a complication in his initial repair surgery. Finlay is under the care of the fantastic team at Great Ormand Street Hospital for Children and has regular check ups on his heart. Finlay will need at least one more surgery in the coming years to replace his pulmonary valve and will need lifelong support to manage his condition as he grows older. However, despite all this Finlay is a fun-loving boy who loves nothing more than running around, playing with his friends and family like any other boy his age. It is a testament to Finlay’s personality that, unless knowing otherwise, it is almost impossible to notice his condition.

About the Children’s Heart Federation

The Children’s Heart Federation (CHF)  is the leading UK children’s heart charity and works with individuals and organisations concerned with children and young people with health and educational needs due to acquired or congenital heart conditions. The Children’s Heart Federation is a parent-led charity which provides
and shares information and practical support on CHD. In addition, the CHF advise policy makers and service providers on how the needs of children with heart conditions should be met and support research projects across the globe to help make the future a brighter place for children with heart conditions. 

About Rough Runner

Rough Runner is a new breed of sports event. It merges a 15km
distance run and obstacles to tackle on along the way. But not just the
regular, military-style obstacles you’ll see on every other event out there,
that do nothing but freeze, burn, lacerate and electrocute you. Instead, the Rough
Runner obstacles are inspired by all those game shows we all love – Takeshi’s
Castle, Wipeout, Gladiator, Ninja Warrior and more. I’ll be tackling the
Travelator like a challenge off Gladiators, a sweeper obstacle and many more in addition to a 15k run!!!

Many thanks in advance for your support and I look forward to sharing how I get on with this event!

Jack