Nine-year-old Max Dunkley, who benefits from our care, is taking on the Derby Bubble Rush in his wheelchair to say thank you.

Max has been visiting Rainbows for more than six years for respite care. He was born with a severe life-limiting form of epilepsy and suffers from seizures on a daily basis. Max has complex medical needs and a tracheostomy, which means he has to have one to one care at all times and his oxygen levels are monitored throughout the night.

As Max gets older, he gets heavier, making it harder for parents Jackie and Nick to carry him, relying more and more on the support of a hoist. In support of Rainbows, Max will be taking on the Bubble Rush at Markeaton Park on Saturday 24 September with his father Nick. “Rainbows is such a special place for our family and we don’t know what we would do without their support,” He said.

“Max just loves to go to the hospice and do lots of things he can’t do anywhere else, like swim in the Hydrotherapy Pool and go in the Multisensory Room. Rainbows also gives us a bit of time off, knowing that Max is getting all of the care he needs. “As a family, we will do anything we can to support Rainbows, which is why I wanted to take part in the Bubble Rush. I know it will be a great, fun event and I can’t wait. I hope other people will sign up as all of the sponsorship money raised goes towards helping children like Max.”

The event is the first of its kind in Derbyshire. Participants will take on a 5k run through walls of colourful bubble stations along the route and we hope to raise around £30,000. The route is wheelchair, pushchair and child friendly. There will be live entertainment throughout the day. Entry is £25 for over 16s, £7.50 for under 16s and under 3s go free.

For more information, visit www.rainbows.co.uk/bubble