The Pyramid 100
This summer, Paul and Christine took on our Summer 1 in 100 Challenge, choosing to complete 100 squats together as their challenge The Pyramid 100
But for Paul, this challenge was about much more than completing 100 squats. It was a reflection of his congenital heart journey and a reminder that, however alone you may feel, you never do anything alone. There is always a loved one, someone special with you. In his case, his lovely wife Christine. 
The Pyramid 100
The 100 squats represented the different stages of their journey.
- 10 squats without weight — for those days before this world and your world coexisted.
- 10 with 5kg — as you enter the world, look around and feel the weight for the first time.
- 10 with 10kg — as you look online and see the worrying stories.
- 10 with 15kg — as you worry about the one you love more and more.
- 10 with 20kg — for those darkest of days, where you entrust the life of your loved one to others.
- 10 with 20kg — for whatever comes after that, and the need to find a new normal.
- 10 with 15kg — as you explore the world more and find others who have been through what you have, or are about to start their own journey.
- 10 with 10kg — as that new normal begins, and that worries you as much as it delights you.
- 10 with 5kg — the worries will always remain, but now the delight takes hold.
- 10 without weight — because it is never easy living in this world, with its ups and downs, and weights being added at a moment’s notice.
For Paul and Christine, The Pyramid 100 became a powerful representation of the emotional weight that can come with life alongside congenital heart disease.
Paul’s message captures exactly why support matters:
“Which is why Children’s Hearts UK exists. We’ve been through this — let us help with some of the weight.”
We are incredibly grateful to Paul and Christine for taking on the Summer 1 in 100 Challenge, sharing their story and helping shine a light on the experiences of families living with congenital heart conditions. Read Paul’s story here
Thank you, Paul and Christine, for helping us carry some of the weight together.
