A SPONSORED walk in honour of a Droitwich boy who lost his battle with an aggressive brain tumour has raised over £6,000 for the hospital who cared for him.
The walk in honour of Ruben Bridges, who died in May just months before his second birthday was organised by his family in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
To raise the funds, the family were joined by many others on September 7 for a walk along the canals from Ruben’s hometown of Droitwich to the children’s hospital where he was looked after.
In total, 115 locals joined them as well as a group of Ruben’s grandad’s colleagues from Dobbies Garden Centre in Tewkesbury.
Totalling 23 miles and just over nine hours of walking with only three stops, the group shared plenty laughs, storytelling and tears in memory of the toddler who touched many in his short life as they celebrated what would have been Ruben’s second birthday.
Ruben’s grandad, Len Payton was heartened to see so many colleagues, locals and friends join the family for the fundraiser.
He said: “I truly can’t believe the outpouring of love and support for our Ruben. The cross section of people that joined us on Saturday was overwhelming and I was so humbled and emotional.
“I don’t know how to express my gratitude to everyone, thank you just doesn’t seem enough.
“We followed the canal for most of the way and the clapping and support was incredible and we know a lot of strangers, walking, riding bikes and on boats donated to the website – thank you all.”
Prior to the family’s sponsored walk, a fundraiser set up by the family raised a whopping £15,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital bringing the total raised to over £21,000.
Ruben’s dad, Reiss Bridges, said: “The support we received from friends and family during this time has been nothing short of incredible.
“Thank you to every single person who donated, myself and Charlotte [Ruben’s mum] can categorically say that the money is going to a very special place that deserve every penny they get.”
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/reiss-bridges-1719928961821 to donate.
