AN online game of bingo has raised thousands of pounds for St Rocco’s Hospice.

Chris Forster, from Woolston, hosted the virtual fundraiser – in which more than 500 participants paid £5 each to play, raising a total of £3,000 for the charity – on Saturday, April 4.

The game of bingo and raffles were beamed to residents’ laptops and mobile phones on a live video stream on Facebook.

Prizes up for grabs included cash and vouchers for San Lorenzo restaurant in the town centre.

Chris said: “Obviously it’s a hospice that runs purely off fundraising, and I’ve run events for them for seven or eight years – I’ve probably raised about £12,000 for them in total before now.

“With what’s going on with Covid-19, they’re probably going to lose about £1million of funding due to things like events being cancelled.

“It’s just a bit of fun for people while they’re at home, and we’re raising a bit of money for a hospice that is close to my family’s heart and a lot of other people’s as well.

“I was only expecting a handful of players, but it’s really blown up.”

Chris is the son of former Warrington Wolves hero Mark Forster, with the long-serving Wire winger’s dad and sister-in-law having been cared for in the Bewsey hospice.

A second virtual game of bingo is now planned for next weekend, with the 32-year-old planning another more traditional fundraiser in November.

Tickets for this event are on sale now.

He added: “The response was incredible, it really brought the community together and took people’s minds off the tough times we are currently experiencing.

“I just hope everybody enjoyed it, keep your eyes out for the next one.”