FAMILIES will bound through a sea of bubbles as a park hosts a foam-filled fundraiser.
There are just days left to bag the early-bird tickets for Helen & Douglas House hospice's Bubble Rush, which will return to Oxford's Cutteslowe Park this summer for the second year.
The pushchair and wheelchair-friendly event will see hundreds of people thrash their way through colourful foam, following a 5km route.
Gemma Lane-Floyd from Wantage, whose 11-year-old daughter Summer is cared for by the East Oxford hospice, urged people to sign up for the run on Sunday, June 2.
She said: "Summer looks at Helen & Douglas House as a place she loves - she calls it her little holiday and can never wait to pack to come.
"She enjoys every bit of the hospice - it is the only place she can go without us on her own overnight.
"She loves that she has her own room and the fact there is so much to do with her day - the staff are so willing with everything she wants to do, even dressing up with her."
READ AGAIN: Our gallery of last year's Bubble Rush at Cutteslowe Park
Summer, who has been enjoying short stays at the hospice for three years, has a rare neurological condition called Dravet’s syndrome, which causes severe seizures mostly at night.
Her mum added: "Coming to Helen & Douglas House is a chance for her to be independent and safe, and she gets to enjoy activities she can’t always do.
"For us its much needed rest and sleep without this we would be in overdrive 24/7.
"Just a short break reboots us and knowing Summer is safe, happy and enjoying herself helps us relax."
Summer at Helen & Douglas House
The Bubble Rush replaced the hospice's annual Colour Run at the same park, and this year's is sponsored by the Oxford Mail and sister title the Oxford Times.
Anyone who registers during February, on or before Thursday, will receive discount on tickets.
Early bird prices are £17.50 for adults, £12.50 for children under 16, £3 for three-four year-olds and children younger than three go free.
There is also a family ticket available for two adults and two children, priced at £53.
Entry is open to all ages and participants are free to walk or run through the route, which includes four foam stations with cannons pumping bubbles up to four feet high.
ALSO READ: Burglary at Helen & Douglas House charity shop
Everyone aged three or older will receive a t-shirt and a special Bubble Rush medal.
Activities at last year's Bubble Rush
Hazel Bedford, director of fundraising and marketing at Helen & Douglas House, said: "By taking part in our Bubble Rush you will make a real difference to the lives of local terminally ill children and their families.
"It costs £3 million a year to run our hospice and provide our outreach nursing service to help families at home and we cannot do this without your help.
"The money raised at our Bubble Rush events in Reading and Oxford this year could pay for our sibling support programme for one year, so that children facing the future without their brother or sister can come together play and discuss their feelings with others going through the same thing."
Anyone interested in signing up or finding out more can visit hdh.org.uk or call 01865 799166.
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