A loving dad has crossed the line into this week’s Charity Champion top spot after travelling over 5,000 miles in three years to raise over £25,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Jason Addison, 47, was inspired to raise the money to say thank you for the care his son, Scott, received at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. 

Scott was diagnosed with Leukaemia when he was four-years-old. He received three years of extensive chemotherapy treatment and is now in remission and a fit and healthy 24-year-old.

Jason commented: “Without Birmingham Children’s Hospital, who knows where Scott would be today, our lives could have taken a very different path. For that reason, we feel it’s hugely important we do our bit to help raise funds for the hospital and help give other children like Scott get the best possible experience while they are in hospital. I will forever be in their debt.

“I decided to start fundraising back in 2012 and really enjoyed it. So far I’ve abseiled 500 feet down a skyscraper, white water rafted at Nene, a 100-mile trek across be Great Wall of China, numerous cycle rides including a 250-mile Coast 2 Coast cycle ride. Next year I’m hoping to do two more cycle challenges including the 400-mile End 2 End Ireland and 1,000-mile Lands End to John O’groats.

“I’ve enjoyed all of the challenges, but the Great Wall of China has to stand out! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m so proud to have completed it – I will never forget the incredible views and the feeling when I set foot on the Great Wall.”

Serena Daw, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “It’s always inspirational to hear how the world-class treatment our hospital provides inspires families to fundraise. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jason for his fundraising efforts and helping give back to our patients in this way.

“The money they’ve raised will make a massive difference to the lives of our brave children and their families on our Oncology Ward.”

For more information on Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, visit www.bch.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 0121 333 8506.