Thousands of people braved the heat at the weekend to raise more than £50,000 for charity by walking or running a 5k through millions of bubbles.

The Hospice of St Francis’ first ever Bubble Rush Bucks took place in Lowndes Park, Chesham, which was transformed into a mass of colourful, frothy bubbles for the event on Sunday.

Almost 1,500 people took part in the 5k course through millions of bubbles, with four different bubble stations blowing out pink, blue, green and yellow frothy foam.

Organisers said more than £50,000 has been raised so far, and are expecting that figure to go up once all the sponsorship money has come in and been counted.

Chesham Mayor Cllr Emily Culverhouse opened the event, where many people took part in memory of friends or relatives who have received or are receiving care at the Berkhamstead-based hospice.

Anthony Parker, 41, and his eight-year-old son Zack, from Chesham, took part just days after losing wife and mum Lisa, 47, who passed away at the hospice last week after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease two-and-a-half years ago.

Mr Parker said: “The hospice has been amazing – so kind and caring to Lisa, and so supportive to us.

“Lisa's MND had become so complicated that I really don't know how we would have coped without the Hospice. She’d been there since February and she truly couldn’t have been in a better place.

“We wanted to do the Bubble Rush in Lisa’s memory to show how much we appreciate everything the hospice has done for us.

“It’s been emotional but it’s been great fun. As we ran through the bubbles, we kept saying Lisa would be laughing at us.”

Natalie Hart, 47, and her daughter Megan, 18, both also from Chesham, were part of an 18-strong team running in memory of Mrs Hart’s late husband Dave, a retained Chesham firefighter, who died at the hospice in 2013 aged just 42.

The “veteran fundraiser”, who has raised £16,500 for the hospice through various events, said: “It was just fantastic. There was a real community buzz. I’ve done lots of hospice events but this is definitely up there with the best of them.

“It was Dave’s final wish that we raise as much money as we can for the hospice and by taking part in events like this wearing his picture on our t-shirts, Dave’s memory lives on.”

Fran Martin, senior events manager at the hospice, said: “It is the first time we have brought Bubble Rush to Bucks and it was just fantastic to see so many people turn out to support the Hospice and enjoy the bubbles.

“There was a lovely atmosphere on the day and despite the soaring temperatures it was great to see so many people going round the course with a smile on their face.”