A colourful flashmob delighted visitors to Hereford City Centre on Sunday, April 3rd. The flashmob was organised by Kris Saunders-Stowe who lives near Ross-on-Wye, as a part of his fundraising for Scope this year.

Approximately 50 dancers took part in the flashmob on Sunday. As the clock struck 12, the music began. Kris was the first to start the dancing, and he was soon joined by the other wheelchair-users who were wearing purple. The other dancers, who wore brightly coloured costumes, soon filtered through the crowd to produce a visual extravaganza. Shoppers who saw the wheelchair-users start the dance were surprised and delighted when the rest of the group joined in and they clapped and cheered as it drew to a close.

Kris will be taking part in the London Marathon this April to raise funds for Scope. The charity provides support, information and advice to disabled people and their families. Kris organised the flashmob to add to his fundraising efforts.

He told the Ross Gazette that the flashmob dancers who wanted to take part each donated a fee, and lots of spectators donated after the flashmob. The total amount raised by the flashmob was £592, which brings Kris’ current fundraising total to £2605.51.

Kris is hoping to raise £4,000 this year for Scope. Kris took part in the London Marathon last year, in a regular wheelchair, rather than a specialised sport one; this year will be the second in a row that he has set himself the challenge. Last year, Kris completed the marathon in four hours, 55 minutes, and he raised thousands of pounds for the MS?society.

Kris told the Ross Gazette he wanted to thank Ann Pritchard of Trinity School in Hereford, as she had allowed the dancers to use the playground to rehearse. He also wanted to thank Point 4 in Hereford, who had let the flashmob use their Sport Hall, and Halo’s Swimming Pool and Gym in Ross-on-Wye, who had allowed Kris to use their studio to film an instructional video, which the flashmob dancers had used to learn the routine.

He added he wanted to say a big thank you to everyone else behind the scenes who had helped to make it all happen.

Kris also runs Wheely Good Fitness; exercise classes for wheelchair users. The ethos of these fitness classes are to ensure that wheelchair users are able to take part in and benefit equally from varying fitness activities suited to their individual needs.

To sponsor Kris, please visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Kris SaundersStowe.