Photograph Credits: Lee Fretter

By KLTV Newsdesk –

Community event in Greenhead Park brings colour, remembrance and record fundraising total

A multi-marathon running dad from Huddersfield has paid a heartfelt tribute to Forget Me Not children’s hospice after taking part in the charity’s 9th annual Colour Run, which has raised more than £40,000 for families across West Yorkshire.

The event, held at Greenhead Park in Huddersfield on Saturday, brought together around 700 participants, including BBC Happy Valley star Rhys Connah, families supported by the hospice, and a wave of runners, walkers, joggers and wheelchair users all united by clouds of colour and celebration.

Running in memory, running with purpose

Chris Hudson took part alongside his wife Helen and daughter Emmeline, Beatrice’s twin sister. The family were supported by Forget Me Not following the death of their baby daughter Beatrice in 2021, and Chris has since completed three major marathons in her memory.

He ran the Yorkshire Marathon, the London Marathon, and the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, one marathon for each of his children, raising over £4,000 for the charity.

The family also shared their story with crowds from the main stage before joining participants on the colourful course through Greenhead Park.

Chris said, “Forget Me Not are absolute angels. Throughout our journey, they’ve supported us immeasurably, holding our hands literally and metaphorically. They provided specialist care and counselling, helped us with birth plans and provided EMDR treatment for Helen, who developed complex PTSD. There isn’t that kind of support on the NHS.

As much as our family and friends were there for us, it’s all down to Forget Me Not that we’re standing here today.

And we wouldn’t be standing here either if it wasn’t for the donations of all you guys here today – it really does make an absolute difference. Today you’re going to fill Greenhead Park with colour and fill Greenhead Park with love. Thank you ever so much.”

A day of remembrance, joy and community spirit

The Colour Run saw families running in memory of children alongside those currently receiving care from Forget Me Not.

Participants were encouraged to fundraise in support of the hospice, with the total raised so far, including corporate sponsorship, exceeding £40,000.

The atmosphere combined celebration and remembrance, with colour stations, music and performances transforming the park into a vibrant show of community solidarity.

‘So much joy, so much community and, of course, so much colour’

Stephanie Parker, Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Forget Me Not, praised the scale of support and the dedication of volunteers, sponsors and participants.

She said: “What a wonderful day! So much joy, so much community and, of course, so much colour! We thank everyone who has come along to participate today and created many more special memories.

“Thanks especially to Chris Hudson for sharing his family’s story from the stage. A massive thank you too to everyone who has worked so hard to make this event a success, including all the volunteers who have given up their time today to help.”

“Lots of local businesses and people have also contributed to today’s success. We couldn’t have done any of it without the generous support of our main sponsor Charlesworth Family Group who also sponsored our red colour station and our five other fabulous colour station sponsors: Aflex Hose, Shepley Spring, Propack, Moorspace Storage and Huddersfield Round Table.

“Thanks also to Ministry of Colour, Myers Group and Yorkshire Fence Hire for supplying essential kit free of charge, Helen and the dancers from Pennine Academy of Dance, singer Beth Hannaway, Emma from Kirklees Active Leisure for our warm up and cool down, DJ Gary Duncan for entertaining the crowds, the Fire Service and West Yorkshire Police for attending, our event photographer Lee Fretter for capturing the day so beautifully and our ambassador Rhys Connah for getting the race off to a great start! “

Supporting families across West Yorkshire

Founded in 2011, Forget Me Not supports babies and children with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire. Care is delivered at Russell House, the charity’s purpose-built hospice in Huddersfield, as well as in family homes and community settings.

The Colour Run continues to be one of the charity’s most important annual fundraising events, combining community participation with vital support for its specialist care services.