A fun-loving family that has raised more than £30,000 for worthy causes has signed up a charity Bubble Rush.
Lee Howlett and four-year-old son Arthur will be among those representing Team Hector at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) event in July.
They are supporting EACH because of the care it provided for little Hector, before his death at the age of just 15 months in February 2022.
He had Alpers syndrome – a rare mitochondrial disease caused by a double mutation of the POLG gene.
Hector’s family have been tireless fundraisers since his diagnosis, raising more than £30,000 which helped build the play park behind their home in Great Witchingham.
The rest was split between EACH, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and mitochondrial disease charity The Lily Foundation.
Mum Tara, 36, said: “When Hector first got sick we set up a GoFundMe page to finish our local play park in Great Witchingham.
“We hoped to raise £8,000 and, incredibly, that target was hit within 24 hours. The page ended up raising £25,000, which was then divided between other charities, including EACH.
“Since then, some friends have run, or are running, the London Marathon for the Lily Foundation and, this year, we wanted to take part in the Bubble Rush.
“We thought it would be a fun thing to do, especially for Arthur. He’ll by five by then and talks about his brother every day. We thought it would be nice for him to get some sponsorship for EACH.
“Lee and myself have both had bereavement counselling and we’ve been invited to lots of events. However, we haven’t felt able to attend any yet so the Bubble Rush will be the first for us.”
Arthur and dad Lee will be joined by Lee’s brother and sister-in-law, Damien Le-May and Victoria Pask, Tommy Le-May, 15, Henry Muskett, 14, and George Muskett, 15.
However, they hope others may join them in flying the flag for Team Hector.
To read Hector’s story, click here.
EACH’s foam-filled Norwich Bubble Rush will take place at the Norfolk Showground on 16th July and the course once again features four bubble stations along a 2.5km route.
Participants can do one lap or double their enjoyment by completing the circuit twice. Each bubble station has a cannon which pumps out coloured foam to create a four-foot deep bubble bath.
To sign up or find out more, click here. To sponsor Team Hector, click here.
