1 Oct 2018 Community

Spectacular scenes at Kirkwood’s Colour Rush

A thousand people from across Kirklees and beyond descended on Oakwell Hall Country Park last Sunday to take part in Kirkwood's annual Colour Rush and Family Fun Day. As well as being covered from head to toe in all the colours of the rainbow, participants taking part helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Hospice, which supports anyone affected by a life limiting illness in Kirklees.

Fun runners transformed a grey September morning sky into a rainbow of colour at Kirkwood's annual Colour Rush event on Sunday. 

Over 1,000 people from across Kirklees and beyond came together to enjoy a colourful family fun day and take on a charity 5k with a difference in the beautiful surroundings of Oakwell Hall Country Park.

The crowd all joined in with the fun day jam-packed with colour and activities to help raise funds for Kirkwood, which provides care for patients and their families with life limiting illnesses.

Families of all ages took part, covering themselves in colour as they ran, walked or danced around the course.

"If anyone wants to do it next year they should because it's going to be really fun and you get to throw paint all over each other." Rosie Hutton, 8

The Huttons were taking part for the first time and enjoyed doing something together as a family.

8-year-old Rosie, who took part with mum Keeley, dad Steve and younger sister Freya, said: "I've never been here before and I've wanted to do it since I was seven. I'm excited to get paint thrown on me in all the colours!

Rosie, Keeley, Steve and Freya

 

"If anyone wants to do it next year they should because it's going to be really fun and you get to throw paint all over each other."

Olwen Howard took part with 12 year old Charlotte, 9 year old Nicholas, and their friend, Penny Buckingham.

Penny, Nicholas, Olwen and Charlotte

 

Getting involved in the Colour Rush for the first time, the family came to enjoy the Family Fun Day and support Kirkwood Hospice.

Olwen said: "We thought it was important for the kids to come along and see where the sponsor money goes."

Pulse Radio breakfast presenter, Rosie Madison, kick-started the day by setting off Kirkwood's famous colour party, showering the crowd from head to toe in multi-coloured powder paint A team from main event sponsors Schofield Sweeney solicitors doused the thousand strong crowd with huge paint cannons.

Along the course, the vibrant participants were met by four colour stations where volunteers covered them in a rainbow of colours.

And the fun didn't stop there, with Kirkwood's first ever family fun day offering great stalls and entertainment, which continued well into the afternoon.

Families of all ages enjoyed a wide range of food and drink stalls, family-friendly activities, live entertainment and giveaways from the Pulse stage throughout the afternoon.

Dawn Jowett and Jan Woodhead are long-time Kirkwood supporters who have previously organised their own fundraising events in the local community.

The pair were taking part for their first Colour Rush in memory of Dawn's Step-father, Mike Swinton, who was cared for by Kirkwood in January.

Dawn said: "We do a lot of charity work for Kirkwood and have a Tribute Fund set up in memory of my Step-father. We also organised a Fashion Show and a Coffee Morning to raise money.

Jan and Dawn

 

"It costs over £7million a year to keep Kirkwood open and the majority of that comes from fundraising, so I'm here to do my bit.

"The care my Step-father received was brilliant. From the minute those doors open, they're there with open arms to look after you and the whole family. It's for us too; we receive a lot of after-care, such as counselling, so the journey carries on.

"I've seen it first hand and I'm passionate about Kirkwood Hospice. We need to spread the word."

Jan said: "It's a family event and keeps us fit at the same time. It's so lovely to see people coming together and having fun at the same time."

Event organiser Kathryn Box was delighted to see this year’s Colour Rush bring so many people together to enjoy the day and raise money for Kirkwood.

She said: "The Colour Rush is a great way for us to raise money for Kirkwood to continue to provide outstanding care for both patients and their families, but it also helps us to raise awareness about the services Kirkwood provide for anyone affected by a life limiting illness in Kirklees.

"We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of the people who came along and covered themselves in colour for Kirkwood. It will make a huge difference to all those who need our support."

Kirkwood would like to thank event sponsors: Schofield Sweeney solicitors, Oakwell Hall Country Park and West Yorkshire Artificial Lawns. They would also like to thank West Yorkshire 4x4 Volunteers, The Dancing House, Total Fitness at Waterloo, Kirkwood's wonderful volunteers, and its stall holders for making the 2018 Colour Rush possible.