Going for gold: Meet Riley

Riley was born with a type of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which is the name given to a group of rare, inherited disorders that cause major abnormalities of the immune system.

He had a cord blood transplant when he was six weeks old and – due to some initial complications – spent months living at GOSH with his mum, Karen.

“I got so much support, from meal vouchers to family accommodation,” Karen says. “The hospital provides such amazing support when you’re going through probably the most stressful time you’re ever going to face, when you’re thinking that you may lose your child."

Riley pulled through and made a good recovery.

By the time he was three years old, he’d already discovered a love of gymnastics after being inspired by his brother Kain.

“I used to sit upstairs on this little balcony while he was training and I’d be under the tables, running around, trying to do handstands and cartwheels,” Riley says.

Now 16, Riley’s no longer just attempting handstands. He’s been selected as part of the English squad for men’s artistic gymnastics in his age category, and in March he came seventh in the British Championships.

“It is so incredible to see what Riley has achieved,” Karen says. “To see him doing what he’s doing – when I saw how weak he was, how he couldn’t eat properly, when there was so much uncertainty about whether he was even going to get through it – it’s almost like a dream.”

Riley’s next goal is to get to the Olympics.

“I’m going to aim for the stars,” he says. “My message to other children with a similar dream is just pursue it, you only get one shot at life so make it your best.

“I remember watching Olympic gymnastics videos in the car before training and trying to pick up the techniques and do what they would do. Max Whitlock is someone I’ve looked up to, he’s done so much in the sport it would be hard not to consider him one of my sporting heroes, he’s amazing.”

Speaking of sporting heroes, a recent poll* conducted for GOSH Charity saw 11-time gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson voted as the greatest Paralympian of all time, with swimmer Ellie Simmonds in second.

Meanwhile, one in five Brits back Usain Bolt as the greatest Olympian, and 17% think his 2008 record is the standout sporting moment of the last 24 years.

The research comes as we call for members of the public to take home a medal of their own by signing up to one of our fundraising challenge events.

At GOSH Charity, we believe that no childhood should be lost to serious illness. The money raised will help us fund vital services and research to help give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible.

From triathlons to treks, 5ks to half marathons, check out our range of challenge events for 2024 and 2025 today.

Be part of it.

*For the survey, Opinium Research polled 2,000 UK adults online between 25 and 27 June. The results have been weighted to be nationally representative.

Photo credit image top of page: Andrew Gourley/Blueski Photography.