'I felt like I watched someone I love die for 18 hours' - Blackpool dad's mind-blowing 30,000ft climb
“If it was not for modern medicine, I wouldn't have my son and amazing woman with me.”
A devoted dad is preparing for a tough charity challenge that will see him climb more ascent than Everest.
The Rebekah Way will honour his partner Rebekah Whalley who endured a tricky time during the birth of their baby boy, Stan - and raise money for Babylifeline, a charity dedicated to advancements in childbirth medicine.
He plans 105 miles in six days, 30,800ft of ascent, wild camping everynight in where he describes the jewel of the UK - the Lake District. He will start on September 7 and end on the 13th.
Rebekah, 28, gave birth to Stan on April 28 2026.
He said: “Had it not been for the outstanding care provided by St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, they both wouldn't be here.
“Stan had meconium in his amniotic sac, his infection markers and lactic acid were up, his heart rate to 250bpm and Rebekah's 180.
“Rebekah stayed in hospital for five days, and Stan was in intensive care for 36 hours.
“I feel like I have watched someone I love die for 18 hours, and what Rebekah and Stan went through was just as hard to see.
All the latest news and top stories from across Blackpool and the Fylde coast directly to your phone
Never miss a thing. Click here to join
“If it was not for modern medicine, I wouldn't have my son and amazing woman with me. I want to do something to honour them both, and hopefully can make a difference for more families.
He explained how many men feel powerless and ineffective during the childbirth experience and wanted to change something that they could all do.
Admittedly he felt it might only go one tenth of the way to replicating the difficulties of labour - which be believes should be called ‘torture!’
“Myself and a group of crazy men will hike across the biggest, steepest mountains in England's most beautiful region.
“We wanted to go through something very hard in order to raise awareness and money.
“Outside of the healthcare profession, many people do not understand the dangers of childbirth and what women go through.”
Frank grew up in Blackpool and plans to move back here with Rebekah and Stan, next year.
En-route they will summit the Old Man of Coniston where the ashes of one of the team’s grandad will be scattered and the whole event will start and finish at The Bridge Hotel in Buttermere which among others, is sponsoring the event. Every single penny will go to Babylifeline through Just Giving