Grateful dad to run Sheffield half marathon for hospital which gave one-year-old Matilda healthy hips

With the event now postponed until September due to COVID-19, one runner who cannot wait to complete the course is grateful dad Billy Gordon from Barnsley.

Billy’s daughter Matilda was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip or DDH at just one day old, and went through multiple operations and procedures before she was one year old.

Now, to say thank you for the care Matilda received, Billy has signed up to run the Sheffield Half Marathon for the first time, to raise money for The Children’s Hospital Charity.

He explained: “I heard about it on social media and thought it would be fitting to run for Sheffield Children’s in its home city.

“Although I’ve done other half marathons before, this is the first time I’ve done one for charity and I really wanted to run for it for the hospital because of the excellent care our daughter received. I wanted to give something back.”

“I run regularly with my friend and neighbour Tim three or four times a week. He knows Matilda well so he was more than happy to join me in fundraising for Sheffield Children’s.

“Ahead of the race day, I will be adding longer runs to our training regime to ensure we are up to the challenge. I hope to run a personal best for The Children’s Hospital Charity.”

Billy has already raised £900 but hopes to reach £1,000 before taking on the race in September.

Caroline Blakey, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Sheffield Children’s Hospital added: “Training for a half marathon in this cold weather can’t be easy! We are very impressed and greatly appreciate Matilda’s family and friends supporting The Children’s Hospital Charity this way, it makes such a difference.

“We work as a team at Sheffield Children’s and lots of dedicated people will have been involved in Matilda’s care, so we hope that other families will have also had a similarly positive experience. Thank you, Billy and Tim - and good luck!”

To take on an event this year for The Children’s Hospital Charity, visit www.tchc.org.uk/events.

To support Billy’s challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/William-Gordon7.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.