THE manager of a sports centre who took part in 12 challenges in as many months after recovering from severe appendicitis has raised nearly £2,000 for charity.

Sam Harte, manager at Marriotts Sports Centre in Stevenage, handed over a cheque to the East and North Herts Hospitals Charity after raising £1,930. The money will be split between a new playroom and The Stoma Ward at Lister Hospital.

The 24-year-old spent most of May, 2010, in the Stevenage hospital with appendicitis and other complications. When he recovered, he set himself the goal to do 12 challenges in 12 months for the East and North Herts NHS Trust Charity.

Lister was the beneficiary of four of the events – climbing Mount Montgo in Spain, the St Albans City 12k race, the London BUPA 10k race and the Three Peaks Challenge, which takes in Britain’s three highest mountains – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

He said: “It was great to meet Jo, the play specialist, and hear all about how the new playroom will help local kids and how my donation will help.

“I am so pleased to be able to support this appeal and The Stoma Ward and to thank them for my treatment and care. It’s been a challenging 12 months which have been very rewarding.”

Rebecca Cheesman, fundraiser for East and North Herts Hospitals Charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to Sam for completing no less than four tough challenges to raise money for the charity.

“Due to Sam’s amazing support we are now one step nearer to providing local children staying on the children’s ward with somewhere special to play next year. The money Sam has raised for the Stoma Care Department will go towards buying some computers which nurses will use in their studies for further education and training.”

To help Sam raise even more money, donate online at www.justgiving.com/samharte12

To donate to The Magic of Play Appeal, visit www.magicofplay.org, email fundraising.enh-tr@nhs.net or call Lister Hospital’s charity on 01438 285541.