Charlie’s 20‑mile challenge brings joy to young patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital

A schoolboy who raised over £2,000 for young patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital has returned to the children’s ward to see exactly what his fundraising helped to buy.

Nine-year-old Charlie Perry‑Hargreaves, from Ewloe has spent much of his childhood on the Countess of Chester Hospital’s children’s ward due to his asthma and wanted to make sure other young patients like him were never bored, and to feel more at home during their stays.

Kind-hearted Charlie decided he wanted to raise money to buy a wider range of toys, games and craft activities for the ward, and set himself a mammoth fundraising challenge to do so.

A keen walker, Charlie took on the challenge of walking 20 miles along the North Wales coastal path in October 2024, starting in Prestatyn and completing the route with the support of his mum, Vicky, all in aid of The Countess Charity (the hospital’s official charity, which uses charitable donations for additional spends just like this).

Charlie originally set a target of £500 — but thanks to generous community support, he raised over £2,000, which has now been used to buy extra toys, games and crafts for the children’s ward, including a special easel so patients can paint in bed, Lego and a wider selection of games and consoles.

Charlie said:

“I’ve been in hospital quite a lot and sometimes it can get a bit boring. I wanted to help buy more things for the children who have to stay in even longer than me.”

Earlier this month, Charlie visited the new Women and Children's Building to see the new toys, games and craft supplies his fundraising helped to purchase for the ward and was also given a special tour of the new building.

He added:

“I love the new building. It felt amazing to see all the toys and crafts they bought. I’m really happy that other children will get to use them and have more things to do while they’re here.”

Charlie’s mum, Vicky said the Countess of Chester Hospital holds a special place in their lives:

“Charlie has been in the children’s ward several times for his asthma and the days were long. He realised that some children have to stay even longer, so he wanted to make their time a little easier,"

"The hospital and staff have been a big part of Charlie’s life since birth, and it means so much to us to be able to give something back. A thank you never seems enough.

She added:

“The new building is fantastic and already somewhere patients and families can really feel at ease. Seeing the toys and crafts Charlie’s fundraising has helped to buy in a space like this was really emotional and it’s lovely to think that children who come here in the years ahead will have more to do and feel a little more at home during what can be a worrying time.

“Knowing Charlie has played a small part in that means everything to us.”

Karen Flewitt, Children’s Ward Manager, said: 

“Charlie’s kindness and determination are already making such a wonderful difference to the children on our ward.

“A hospital stay can be difficult for young patients, especially when they’re feeling unwell or away from home, and the toys, games and crafts he has helped to fund will bring comfort and joy to so many families.

“We are incredibly grateful to Charlie for thinking of others despite his own health challenges, and it was lovely to welcome him back to show him the positive impact of his fundraising.”

Pictured - Charlie with one of the ward’s play staff members.