12-year-old Sheffield 'prankster' takes on bubble-wrap challenge

An inspirational 12-year-old ‘prankster’ burst his way through ten metres of bubble wrap in his wheelchair to raise funds to help his foster family and friends who visit Bluebell Wood.
Inspirational 12-year-old 'prankster' Chris Kay with his foster carer Anne Reid. Picture credit: Ant CliffordInspirational 12-year-old 'prankster' Chris Kay with his foster carer Anne Reid. Picture credit: Ant Clifford
Inspirational 12-year-old 'prankster' Chris Kay with his foster carer Anne Reid. Picture credit: Ant Clifford

Chris Kay, who has a degenerative neurological condition that means he’s unable to walk, discovered the additive joys of bubble-wrap popping when he was looking for something to fill the hours in lockdown.

Seeing just how much fun he was having, his foster carers Anne Reid and Catherine Mair decided to turn his new pastime into a ‘Popathon’ fundraising mission.

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The Sheffield couple, who have fostered over 100 children, many of whom have complex needs, are currently looking after two children who visit Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Chris Kay 
Picture credit: Ant CliffordChris Kay 
Picture credit: Ant Clifford
Chris Kay Picture credit: Ant Clifford

Chris, who goes to Seven Hills School, took part in the ‘Popathon’ at Norfolk Park’s main entrance on Sunday.

“We wanted to really give Chris something to focus on, something he can really get his teeth into,” said Anne, who’s been looking after Chris with her wife Catherine for the past two years.

“Having a degenerative condition and all the uncertainty that comes with it can be incredibly tough for him so we hope this will help build his confidence and self-esteem.

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“He’s such a prankster and he’s very funny so this challenge was right up his street. And it’s also a brilliant chance for him to help his family and friends who visit Bluebell Wood.”

Inspirational 12-year-old 'prankster' Chris Kay
Picture credit: Ant CliffordInspirational 12-year-old 'prankster' Chris Kay
Picture credit: Ant Clifford
Inspirational 12-year-old 'prankster' Chris Kay Picture credit: Ant Clifford

The family have a long-standing relationship with Bluebell Wood, with the charity even helping the couple’s dream wedding become a reality last year by helping to care for foster child Sarah who needs round-the-clock care.

“We’re quite involved with the local foster carer community and several of us were going to do Bluebell Wood’s Dragon Boat race to support the life-changing charity,” said Anne.

“Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled this year so this is a fantastic and inclusive way to give something back.

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“Bluebell Wood is such an incredibly important place that’s there for families like ours during the hardest times of their lives, so we really want to help after what’s been such a challenging year.”

Sally Baker, Community Fundraising Manager at Bluebell Wood, said: “This is such a fantastic and fun challenge and we can’t thank Chris and his foster family enough for their amazing support.”