3 Oct 2018 Community

Families join together at Kirkwood’s Colour Rush

Every year, Kirkwood’s Colour Rush showers the community with vibrant colours all for a good cause. Last Sunday, 1,000 local Kirkwood supporters came together to get covered from head-to-toe in brightly coloured paint, and to raise thousands towards care for patients and their families with life limiting illnesses in Kirklees.

As participants continue to wash away the paint after the weekend, Kirkwood takes a look back at some of the stories from the most colourful fundraising event of the year.

 

Here are some of their stories…

Leanne Fozzard took part in the Colour Rush this year in memory of someone special to her.

Leanne said: “I am doing the Colour Rush in memory of my partner who died at the age of 41 from lung cancer.

“Kirkwood Hospice were amazing in the last few days of his life, not only with him, but with all of us as a family.”

Alison Cluley took on the Colour Rush in memory of her Dad, Tony Stead.

Alison said: “We are doing it in memory of our Dad/Grandad, Tony, who you looked after in his last few days.

“Kirkwood was close to his heart as he volunteered for you on reception and driving after you had taken such great care of his wife who passed away from breast cancer.

“You all do a fantastic job in a wonderful setting, not just for the patients, but the whole family. Well done and thank you.”

Karen Braime took part as she is aware of the amazing work Kirkwood does to care for people in Kirklees.

Karen said: “I’m doing it as I think Kirkwood are amazing. [I was] diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and live to tell the tale.”

Joanne Wilkinson also attended the Colour Rush as she witnessed first-hand the services Kirkwood provide.

Joanne said: “I’m doing it in memory of my Uncle Peter; he was looked after by the staff at Kirkwood so well.

"They made it easy to leave him there and although he wasn’t there when he passed away, Kirkwood Hospice will always have a place in my heart, and many others too.”

Lisa Claire Emerson took part last Sunday with her eldest son and a friend.

Lisa decided to make Kirkwood’s Colour Rush her first goal after 18 months of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Lisa said: “I think I am ready to achieve many things from now and to do this run for Kirkwood Hospice would be a great achievement.

“I personally don’t have any links with them but my husband does as his Mum was at the Hospice many years ago before she passed away from Motor Neurone Disease.

“One of my friends that is running with me also has links to the Hospice as she lost her partner nearly two years ago.

"I dedicate this run in memory of my stillborn son, Lucas, as his Birthday/anniversary is three days before the event and I want to make him proud.”

Laura Dyson and friend Cheryl Froggett completed the Colour Rush in memory of Laura’s mum, who sadly died at Kirkwood in June this year.

Laura said: “My Mum was in the Hospice from May until her last breath in June this year. Me and her best friend Cheryl are running in her memory.”