Chris, from Rainford, set up the nationally-recognised Chocolate Orange Challenge in 2011 following the loss of his four-year-old son Elliott the previous year to a condition called Congenital Cytomegalovirus.
While Elliott was in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Chris bought a chocolate orange as a thank you to one of the physiotherapists for their kindness, care and compassion.
Word soon got around among other medical professionals, and Chris ended up buying more and more every time Elliott was in hospital.
Following Elliott’s death, Chris decided he wanted to do something positive to cherish his memory, and so came up with the idea of collecting as many chocolate oranges to be shared with hospital staff nationwide.
Chris said “On this day in 2011 I took 145 chocoranges to Whiston and Alder hey hospitals to say a small but very big thank you to those who care and make a very big difference to our lives.”
“Who would have thought seven years and 33,000 chocoranges later and all over the world people know about Elliott’s story of courage and bravery. You can change the world with kind acts. Merry Christmas everyone.”
Read more about the 2017 Chocolate Orange Challenge here
