By Joshua Robinson – 

Fundraisers at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice have expressed their surprise and delight at the amount raised at last Saturday’s Colour Run which saw over 1000 participants run, walk, and jog through Greenhead Park. Together, they raised over £48,000, an increase of 50% on last year’s fundraising total.

Vicky Lough, Event Manager at Forget Me Not, said: “We’ve counted and recounted, just to be sure, but yes this year’s Colour Run has raised more than ever before!”

“A huge well done and thank you to everyone who got colourful with us – for making it such an amazing day and for raising such a magnificent amount! Every penny of the £48,000 raised will fund our work supporting local children and families.”

Vicky Lough (Event Manager at Forget Me Not), at the Colour Run with the Mayor of Kirklees Nosheen Dad and Masood Ahmed, Forget Me Not’s Community Engagement Officer (Image Credit: Mike Robinson, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice)

One of the competitors was Rhys Connah, who played Ryan in the BBC drama Happy Valley and who is now an ambassador for Forget Me Not. He said: “I think it went quite well considering I was carrying my one-year old brother with me! I’m quite happy with my time.”

“Events like this, for the charity and the community in general are unbelievably important. 10% of Forget Me Not’s funding comes from the government, that means that 90% comes from events like this, by people being willing to give things up to support a local charity.”

“For the local community as well, just as I’ve been running round I’ve seen how much people have been looking and enjoying themselves, even if they’re not participating in the race, they’ve still been having fun.”

Happy Valley star Rhys Connah (Ryan Cawood) with his brothers Teddy (in arms) and Ryan at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice Colour Run Saturday 8th June 2024 (Image Credit: Mike Robinson, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice)

Vicky Lough added: “As well as everyone who took part in the event, lots of local businesses and people have contributed to its success.”

“We couldn’t have done any of it without the generous support of our main sponsor Charlesworth Family Group, paint sponsor Ministry of Colour and colour station sponsors: Charlesworth Family Group, Shepley Spring, Advanced Supply Chain, Purple Pebble People, Mercedes-Benz Huddersfield, Aflex Hose and FMG.”

“Thanks are also due to Shepley Spring, Myers Group and Yorkshire Fence Hire for supplying essential kit free of charge. And to Pennine School of Dance, singer Beth Hannaway, Alex from Kirklees Active Leisure and Georgina Kate for entertaining the crowds, photographer Mike Robinson for capturing the day so beautifully, and the Fire Service for their help cleaning up! All of whom volunteered their time so that every penny raised on the day will help local children and families.”

Participants at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice Colour Run Saturday 8th June 2024 (Image Credit: Mike Robinson, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice)

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice:

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports babies and children with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire, they offer a wide range of services right from pregnancy, nursing care, hydrotherapy, creative therapy, days out, memory making, end-of-life care, bereavement support and counselling, and much more, all available to the whole family.

The charity needs to raise £6m this year to run the hospice, with only a fraction of those funds coming from the government or NHS.

For more information about Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, please visit: www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk

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