'Quirky' Chris takes on bubble-popping challenge and raises £3,000 for Bluebell Wood

Chris and foster carer Anne Reid sharing a moment after he’d finished popping.

Self-confessed prankster Chris Kay initially hoped to raise £500 but has now raised more than £3,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice to help his foster family and friends who visit him – and he hopes to reach £5,000 by the end of the month.

Chris’ foster carers, Anne Reid and Catherine Mair, were beaming with pride at his achievements in a marathon challenge designed to help boost his self-confidence.

Anne said: “Chris has a degenerative condition so his future prospects are quite difficult to imagine, but this has given him such self-confidence and belief in himself.

“He’s a truly amazing lad, always full of laughter and jokes, and we’re so proud of him.”

Chris’ quirky and inclusive challenge captured the imaginations of people in the local community and beyond, and the family hope many more will now ‘go pop’ for their chosen charities.

The big-hearted teen also plans to make it an annual event.

Anne said: “There are so many people like Chris who will never be able to run a marathon or do a sponsored walk.

“But this is different – this is a challenge you need wheels for. We’d love to see the Popathon become as popular as a marathon.”

Anne and Catherine, who have collectively fostered more than 100 children, are currently caring for two children who visit Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The fundraiser gave Chris the perfect opportunity to give back to the charity that does so much to support his family and friends.

Anne added: “We’d like to say thank everyone who supported Chris in making his Popathon such an amazing success – we couldn’t have done it without you.

“Bluebell Wood is such an incredibly important place for families like ours so your support really does mean the world to us.”

Sally Baker, community fundraising manager at Bluebell Wood, said: “A huge well done to Chris. It’s such a wonderfully fun challenge and it’s clear that he loved every minute of it.

You can help Chris reach his fundraising goal at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/popathon2020.