Ben Moorhouse completes 52 hill climbs and a 30-mile walk to Manchester during Baby Loss Awareness Week, with a second extreme challenge planned in Rhodes, Greece, on 26 October.
A bereaved father from Halifax has completed a gruelling 17-hour endurance challenge in memory of his daughter, Kallipateira, who was stillborn at 37 weeks in October 2018.
Ben Moorhouse, 43, began his challenge at 3am on Saturday 10 October 2026, climbing Halifax’s two most demanding hills 52 times in total before walking 30 miles to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester. He finally completed the extreme challenge at 8pm.
The challenge formed part of Ben’s October fundraising efforts through The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation, which he established in memory of his daughter to raise awareness of stillbirth and support vital research into preventing baby loss.
52 hill climbs. 30 miles. 17 hours.
Ben began the challenge by climbing Shibden Wall 26 times, followed by 26 ascents of Trooper Lane. He then set off on the 30-mile walk to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where specialist care played an important role in the story of his family.
Undertaking such a demanding physical challenge during Baby Loss Awareness Week was about more than endurance. It was a way for Ben to honour Kallipateira, remember babies who have died, and stand alongside the families who continue to live with the heartbreak of baby loss.
Speaking after completing the challenge, Ben said:
“I was incredibly proud to take on and complete Saturday’s challenge in 17 hours. After tackling Halifax’s two most feared and famous local climbs 52 times in total, then walking the 30 miles to Manchester at a pace that surprised even me, I knew I’d done myself proud once again.
“The families and babies I was doing this for during Baby Loss Awareness Week gave me the fuel to keep going and do what I needed to do.
“It can be a lonely place when you’re out there on your own. At around 3:30am, while standing on Shibden Wall, the clouds broke and the sky was filled with the brightest stars. Something told me to stop and look. A shooting star travelled right across the sky. In that moment, I felt it was a sign from Kallipateira, reminding me that she was right beside me.
“Then, on my first ascent of Trooper Lane, a full rainbow appeared over Halifax. To me, that was another sign from Kallipateira.
“These moments meant more to me than I can put into words.”
Turning profound loss into hope for other families
Kallipateira Rodothea Moorhouse was stillborn at 37 weeks in October 2018. Her death changed Ben’s life and became the reason behind the Foundation’s work.
Through The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation, Ben raises funds for stillbirth research and supports the work led by Professor Alexander Heazell and the Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre.
The Foundation exists to ensure that Kallipateira’s memory continues to make a difference, helping support research and other families affected by the devastating loss of a baby.
Every challenge is undertaken in her honour and with the hope that greater understanding, research and support can help prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.
The next challenge: Rhodes, Greece — 26 October
Saturday’s challenge is only the first part of Ben’s October endurance efforts.
On 26 October 2026 on Kallipateira’s 8th birthday, Ben will undertake a second extreme challenge in Rhodes, Greece.
The challenge will involve climbing the Prophet Elias mountain road 26 times, walking eight miles to Tsambika Monastery, and tackling its 300 steps 26 times.
Tsambika holds a deeply personal significance for Ben and his partner, Gaynor. In 2019, they visited the monastery and prayed for a brother or sister for Kallipateira. Their son, Apollon, was born the following year after specialist care.
Returning to Rhodes to undertake this challenge brings together the memory of Kallipateira, the journey their family has taken since her death, and Ben’s determination to help other families affected by baby loss.
One daughter’s memory. A promise to other families.
Ben’s challenges are physically demanding, but their purpose remains simple: to honour Kallipateira, remember all babies who have died, support bereaved families and raise funds for research that could help more parents take their babies home.
Through The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation, her memory continues to be carried forward through action, awareness and support for research.
You can support Ben’s October challenges and the Foundation’s work by donating through the fundraising page below. Every contribution helps support the work being carried out in memory of Kallipateira and for families affected by baby loss.
Support the October Double Extreme Challenge — 26 FOR KALLIPATEIRA