2025 Winner
THEO HARDIE
Unstoppable seven year-old from Falkirk took on the challenge of running 100 miles in the hopes of raising funds for his little brother Jude’s first wheelchair
Theo’s little brother Jude was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and has undergone a series of operations. Although healthy, he has limited use of his legs.
Wanting to help and support his brother, Theo, then aged five, decided to start his own challenge to raise money for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland.
Starting in April 2023, he aimed to cycle a total of 100 miles to and from nursery every day to raise £1,000 for the charity. Smashing his target, Theo managed to raise a total of £2,043.
In 2024, spurred on by his love for his brother, Theo decided to set himself an even bigger challenge – running 100 miles in 50 days or less.
Upset that two year-old Jude couldn’t join in playing in the garden with him and other children, Theo told his mum that he wanted to raise funds to buy Jude a wheelchair so he could play alongside him.
This time Theo raised £1,060, more than double his target, and purchased a tiny wheelchair so Jude can zoom along beside him. Theo said: “Jude couldn’t move around and I wanted him to be able to play outside with me so I wanted to buy a wheelchair for him.
“The running was tougher than the cycle. I just told myself “Keep running, keep running. When we got to order the wheelchair that was great as now my brother can finally have a chance to have fun.”
Theo’s mum Taylor said: “It was all his idea, we never brought it up or pushed him to do anything, We are just so incredibly proud of Theo and touched so many people donated.”