Heroic Dads Raise Over £21,000 for Bristol Children’s Hospital

Matt’s life was changed forever when his 14-year-old daughter, Tilly, passed away in January. 

Inspired by Tilly’s adventurous spirit, Matt and seven other dads set themselves an intimidating challenge: taking on their first triathlon in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital. 

Matt told us about how his fantastic friends came together to support him and raise over £21,000 for children like Tilly. 

“When Tilly was on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital, it wasn’t just the doctors, nurses, and consultants who held our hands through the tough times; our friends were there for us too. 

They saw firsthand what life in a children’s Intensive Care Unit was like. Tiny patients wired up to machines, families sitting by bedsides, and healthcare professionals working tirelessly with dignity, compassion and kindness. The level of care was beyond inspiring. It was the kind of greatness that makes you want to give back, to do something that matters. It changes you. It changed all of us. 

From this solidarity, a kind of movement materialised. The very last thing my daughter Tilly did with me before things got really serious was paint my toenails red. Now, I’ve never exactly had model feet; years of rugby, hiking, flip-flops and general dad-neglect have done them no favours. “So embarrassing,” I can still hear her saying, with that look only a daughter can give her dad. 

But here’s the thing, those red-painted toenails, they stayed. And they will stay. For the rest of my life. Because they’re a reminder of her, of her strength, of the love we carry and, somehow, they’ve become a symbol. 

People started joining in. Friends, family, colleagues and even strangers sent me photos of their red toenails. Weird? Absolutely. Wonderful? Completely. A funny, heartfelt gesture that says, “I’m with you.” 

And then, of course, came the triathlon. 

All eight of us dads all wanted to help, to be part of something bigger. That’s how the triathlon came about. I didn’t really have a choice! My name mysteriously appeared on a list, thanks to an overly enthusiastic dad who was keen to ‘give a triathlon a go’ and give back to the hospital after seeing what my family had been through. One moment, I was being signed up, and the next I found myself jumping into a lake with seven other dads.   

We signed up in March. For the past three months, we’ve been scrambling to get into shape: parkruns, gym sessions, swimming (both in lakes and pools), spin classes, long bike rides. You name it; we’ve tried it. Are we ready? Well, let’s just say we won’t be setting any personal bests. But we will give it everything we’ve got. 

It’s so humbling to know I’ve got such a strong crew of friends behind me. These other dads have picked me up when I’ve needed it, kept me motivated, and pushed me forward, with a lot of laughs along the way. They’re the kind of people who make you realise that no challenge is too big, especially when you’ve got a team like this. So, while we might not break any records, we’re certainly going to make a few memories. And most importantly, we’re doing it for a cause that’s bigger than any of us. 

It’s people who matter most, and when you witness first-hand the compassion and strength of the doctors, nurses and all the staff who work tirelessly at Bristol Children’s Hospital, it stays with you. 

These professionals give so much. They deliver life-changing news to families every day in an environment no parent ever wants to find themselves in. Yet somehow, they create a place that is warm, supportive, and filled with kindness. 

I often think about the parents who must stay by their child’s bedside for days or weeks on end. Parents who can’t afford the extra costs of accommodation, parking, or travelling back and forth. So, when I learned about The Grand Appeal’s home-from-home accommodation for those families, alongside other vital projects, it was a no-brainer. I had to do something. I wanted to give back to a cause that has profoundly touched our family and the families of so many others. 

What started as a £2,000 fundraising target has grown into something incredible. We’ve been blown away by the generosity of our family, friends and community. We’re especially grateful to our friend who created the #BeMoreTilly baseball caps. The caps are a beautiful reminder of Tilly’s magical spirit, which will carry us through every step of the race. 

When you name your beautiful rainbow baby Matilda – a name meaning ‘mighty battle maiden’ – after the cool teenage assassin in Luc Besson’s 1994 thriller Léon, I suppose you should expect someone pretty unique. 

Tilly was fun personified, and her friends were her ‘everything’. I’ll remember her dressing up in outlandish costumes for Halloween, having mischievous sleepovers that went on late into the night, jumping over fences to get to the playing fields, zooming around the village on the electric scooters. If there was a tree, she would climb it; a puddle, jump in it; a hill, roll down it; a rollercoaster, jump in the front seat with arms aloft. There was always an adventure to have or a journey to go on – with the rest of us trailing in her wake. 

Tilly’s zest for life was evident in her adventurous spirit. She went skiing in Switzerland, caving in Mexico, hiking down a glacier in Yosemite National Park, kayaking with dugongs in Florida, scuba diving with manta rays in Bali, ziplining in Wales – there wasn’t anything she didn’t want to try.  

We’ve raised over £21,000 as part of The Tilly Bray Star Tribute Fund. Most of that has been through the fundraising efforts from a group of eight ‘middle-aged’ dads (yes, who may have partied a little too hard in our younger days!) all of whom knew and loved Tilly. 

Together, we decided to take on the Blenheim Palace Triathlon Sprint on 7 June, our first triathlon. A 750-metre swim, 19.8km bike ride, and 5.4km run, back-to-back. This won’t be our last challenge. Ideas are already flowing, and I know that with the #BeMoreTilly mindset, our family, friends and community are ‘all in’. 

Why? Because Bristol Children’s Hospital is real. The needs are real. The difference this money makes is visible; it’s tangible, it’s life-changing. I wish with all my heart that what happened to Jules, Charlie and I never happens to another family. But if it does, and they find themselves at Bristol Children’s Hospital, they will be met with warmth, care, and support. I hope they’ll know that people like us, people like you, are doing what we can to help.”