Former Bourne Grammer School pupil raises funds for NHS Charities Together with Instagram live stream

Blue hair dye, shaved eyebrows and no sleep were all part of Ryan Sharp’s plan to raise money to support the NHS.

The former Bourne Grammar School pupil hosted a 24-hour ‘live stream’ on his Instagram account to raise funds for NHS Charities Together, which links 250 charities across the UK who donate to the NHS.

Ryan, 18, said: “I was just looking through the charities and saw that it was specifically to do with the virus, getting and helping NHS workers who are supporting people with the virus.”

He added: “I just wanted to do something to help.

“Being sat at home you feel like you can’t do much.”

After a friend suggested the 24-hour ‘live stream’ as a joke, Ryan decided to host it on his Instagram page on.

Ryan, who studies media at Leeds University, said that while he is used to a late night the 24-hour live stream was unlike anything he has experienced before.

“From about four in the morning until nine in the morning staying awake and trying to keep everyone entertained while keeping myself active and entertained was pretty tough.

“I didn’t reckon that part of the morning would be so hard,” said Ryan.

“I had doubts in the early hours of the morning but I’m not a quitter.

“I always knew that I was going to finish it.”

He added: “Obviously Red Bull and coffee helped.

“Without them it would’ve been a lot harder than it was.

“My mum helped a lot too, she woke up at about three in the morning.”

Despite only deciding to do the ‘live stream’ one week before, Ryan planned a variety of activities - such as dyeing his hair blue, shaving his eyebrows, attempting to complete a jigsaw and baking - to keep him and his viewers entertained.

He also received a lot of support from his friends who joined the ‘live stream’ to ask him questions or take part in a quiz.

Ryan, who lives in Essendine, said: “Without my parents and some of my close friends, I don’t think it would have been possible.”

Before finishing the live stream last Sunday, Ryan completed 80 push-ups and a one kilometre sprint to say thank you for the support and donations.

After setting a target of £500 he has now raised nearly £1,900.

“At £370 me and my mum were unsure if we would even raise £500.

“It was pretty surreal really, knowing that I could raise that amount on my own,” Ryan said.

To make a secure donation, visit his JustGiving page.

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