Wheelchair User raises Over £400 For Charity Through Completing ‘Marathon In A Month’ Challenge

Chris Long, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy and a customer of Bluebird Care Exeter, has raised over £400 for Hospiscare by taking part in their ‘Marathon in a Month’ event in October.

He was inspired to take part after seeing a poster on Exeter’s Quayside during one of his regular outings with his Bluebird Care Exeter Care Assistant. He told the Care Assistant that he would love to take part and subsequently signed up.

Chris’s mission was a challenging one, but he successfully covered over 26 miles during October.

Prior to the event, Chris was asked to raise a minimum of £60 in sponsorship to support the care of people living with a terminal illness across Devon. However, Chris has far exceeded that, by raising in excess of £400. In recognition of his remarkable efforts, Chris was awarded a Hospiscare medal.

With the help of Bluebird Care Exeter, Chris was well supported in his efforts to complete the marathon. The leading home care provider offers care services directly to their customer’s homes. Their visits cover a variety of highly individualised care services, from personal care to companionship, home help, to trips into the community, right up to 24-hour Live-in Care.

Adding to his list of talents, Chris also wrote two books during the recent lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Barry the Medical Cat’ is a children’s book illustrated by the granddaughter of a Bluebird Care Exeter Care Assistant, whilst ‘While the World Was on Pause’ is a collection of short stories. These books, along with other titles by Chris, are available on Amazon and can be purchased here. 

Reflecting on his fundraising efforts, Chris said:“Five years ago, I lost my mother to cancer. Although she did not use the Hospiscare service, I am grateful that the service was there had she needed it. Taking part in the marathon was a rewarding experience because it gave my circuit of The Quay a purpose. I enjoyed finding new routes that would help me achieve my goal and rediscovering the beauty in nature.

“This marathon was made all the more pleasurable due to the fact that, owing to the pandemic, I have been indoors from March 2020, until May 2021! However, doing the marathon. in October was challenging because I was determined to finish it before the bad weather arrived.”

Sylvie Thomas Frenette, a Care Assistant at Bluebird Care Exeter, commented:“I am one of the many Care Assistants from Bluebird Care Exeter who accompanied Chris on his marathon adventure. We had a great time, met lots of people who cheered up Chris, not to mention the many dogs who wanted to join in! It was great just to be outside by the beautiful river, after far too many pandemic trivial pursuit games! Chris is a marvellous soul and I love him to bits. Well done, marathon man.”

Amy Van Trump, Live-in Care Manager at Bluebird Care Exeter, added:“Chris is an inspiration to us all. He is always thinking up new ideas and plans for things to do. During lockdown he independently wrote and published two books! I had no doubt that he would complete his marathon in a month for Hospicecare, he is superhero!”

Donations can still be made to support Chris’ efforts. Please visit:www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christopher-long9