Worthing burpee man completes 12-hour challenge for Rockinghorse

Craig, known as The Burpee Man, has used his prowess to support various causes as a thank you for the care his twin boys have received.

His latest effort saw him complete 4,470 burpees in 12 hours, raising £1,360 for the children’s charity Rockinghorse, following the support his family received at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

Craig said: “We have had many overnight hospital stays with our sons, so we know, as parents, how important it is to be kept beside your child at such a vulnerable time.

“Words don’t do the support we have received from the NHS and Rockinghorse any justice. They have been fantastic in caring and treating one of our twin boys, who suffers with Hirschsprung’s disease, a rare condition affecting his bowel.

“This challenge is the least I can do. I have burned the skin off my fingertips, I’ve pulled something in my right quad, my back I completely jacked, I can’t turn my head to the right. But I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

Rockinghorse has pledged funding for three projects to support different aspects of health provision for sick children and young people across Sussex.

It is funding 12 camp beds at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, so parents can remain with their children during a hospital stay; a second portable lung function machine to enable accurate diagnosis and treatment for a range of lung conditions; and supporting patients at the Chalkhill Child and Adolescent Mental Health unit in Haywards Heath by purchasing equipment the young people can use in isolation.

Lucy Pond, challenge fundraising manager, said: “Rockinghorse has been significantly impacted by the current COVID-19 situation due to the cancellation or postponement of many of our biggest fundraising events. But support from people like Craig really does make an enormous difference. These donations help us continue to provide essential support to the NHS and families with sick children.”

In 2016, Craig set a target of 67,000 burpees in a year to raise money for St George’s Hospital in London.

The hospital saved the lives of his twins, Quinn and Jude, after they were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Mum Kyrie had to have the keyhole surgery when she was 20 weeks pregnant.

The boys were then born at 26 weeks, weighing only 1lb 8oz each, and after they were allowed home, Quinn was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease.

While Quinn had further surgery and extra treatment, the family spent a lot of time in Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, where they benefited from the amazing support it provides families.

Craig said: “You can’t put it into words. You can say ‘thank you’ and fundraise but nothing will ever measure up to the support they provide. And it’s not just the treatment and care, it’s the little touches like asking if the parents need anything, that go such a long way. We will never forget that.”

Having completed his 67,000 burpees, Craig went on to do 6,500 burpees in 20 hours, followed by another 45,000 burpees in 2017, raising £17,000 for the hospital’s fetal medicine unit.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-peters9-9 to support his latest appeal.

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