More 1,200 adults and children gathered in colourful glasses and white tee shirts for the Thanet 5k Colour Run along the coastal route of Palm Bay, Cliftonville, and Margate on Sunday.
After a fun warm up and a big countdown, the event in aid of Pilgrims Hospices kicked off with a huge blast of colour. The crowd ran, jogged and walked through brightly coloured paint clouds, which drifted out from two huge colour stations.
Among the runners was Andy Aldworth from Margate (above) who ran in memory of his nan, Joan Jones, who was cared for by Pilgrims.
He said: “I decided to do the Colour Run in memory of my nan and also to get fit. I wanted to do my bit to raise money for Pilgrims as they do a magnificent job. I also achieved my personal best time; the best part of the day was the amount of people who turned up and gave me encouragement to keep going.”
Karen Kenward, community fundraising manager for Pilgrims Hospices, said support for the event had exceeded everyone’s expectations.
She added: “This is the second Colour Run we have held and it’s been such a popular event.
“The atmosphere is just unbelievable, with colour and laughter all the way. We are still counting everyone’s sponsorship money but already we have raised more than £20,000 and that figure is set to grow.
“A huge thank you to everyone who took part, raising vital funds for the hospice.”
About Pilgrims Hospices
Each year Pilgrims supports more than 2,300 local people, and their families, coping with a life limiting illness. The charity offers a range of services: from its new wellbeing and social programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent to the expert end of life care given on its wards.
Special thanks
The Colour Run was supported by a host of generous organisations whose support means that even more money will go to help provide this care. These included Your Leisure, Howdens, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Bookers Cash & Carry, Raynet, Thanet council, Copy Shop, Pete the DJ , Bek from Beks Fitness, Bex from Your Leisure, Raffles the Bear and all the staff and volunteers who helped make the event possible.
A date for your diary
If you missed this event and would like to join in the next one, why not sign up for It’s a Knockout on 9 July, Government Acre. Ramsgate. Call Karen Kenward for further details on: 01843 233934 or email [email protected]