Bubble Rush completes successful season for fundraising footballers

Members of a South Yorkshire youth football team are taking part in the Barnsley Hospice Bubble Rush to round off a season of fundraising.

The Pinfold Pumas under 13s team in Cudworth are entering the event for the first time. The 5km fun run, which sees participants blasted with coloured bubbles around the route, returns to Locke Park on Sunday 21 July.

The event acts as a celebration for the Pumas after they won the league title having lost only two games since September. They also finished cup runners-up to complete a successful season.

Ben Rowe, who manages the team, said: “We thought it would be a great way to round off what has been a fantastic year for the team. All 17 of them are taking part which is great.

“One of my friends has kindly paid the entry fees for the whole team, so everything else we raise in sponsorship can now go directly towards hospice care which is amazing. I’m sure everyone will have fun and raise money for a great local cause at the same time.”

The Pumas’ latest fundraising for the hospice comes after Ben, 30, held a race night last summer to raise enough money to pay for football shirts emblazoned with our logo. His team have been promoting the hospice in every game they have played since then.

Ben, a taxi driver from in Athersley North, has supported us since his mother, Bev Rowe, died there from bowel cancer when he was just 16. Some of the players also have personal connections to the hospice.

Ben said: “When my mum was cared for at the hospice, what surprised me was what a happy and positive place it was, despite there being so many poorly people. The staff were fantastic and supported the whole family too, not just my mum.

“We just want to give something back to make sure that other people are able to receive that exceptional level of care. The Barnsley community always support each other, and I think they recognise the importance the hospice has to the town – that’s what it’s all about.”

Martyn Hughes, events fundraiser at the hospice, said: “We’re really touched by the fundraising efforts of Ben and the team. It’s been great to have our profile raised in the local community with the shirt sponsorship throughout the season, so for the team to be doing the Bubble Rush as well is fantastic.

“Their support, along with the rest of the Barnsley community, makes a huge contribution towards being able to provide care for the families who need us.”

The Bubble Rush is now in its third year and has raised over £50,000 in sponsorship since it was introduced in 2017.

Tickets now available at a cost of £20 per adult and £10 per child. Family tickets at £50 are also available. The entry fee includes a t-shirt to wear during the event and a medal at the end of the course. To enter, visit our event page or call 01226 244244.