Fun run with a dash – or two – of colour

Help hospice by being splattered with paint

BRUNEL students have come up with a colourful idea to raise funds for Michael Sobell Hospice.

The university in Uxbridge has teamed up with the hospice at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood to launch #colourdash, a run, walk or dance around the Kingston Lane campus.

This is not a typical fun-run though, as those taking part will wear white and be pelted with a different colour at various stops along the route.

By the time they reach the end, runners will resemble rainbows, covered head to toe in paint that has been made from natural corn starch, coloured with fully tested food and cosmetic dyes.

Priya Pallan, volunteers manager at Brunel, said: “Please support the #colourdash, where you can have a brilliant day with your friends and family, enjoy the fun atmosphere and also know that you are helping a fantastic charity that does outstanding work in supporting members of our community.”

Melanie Burfitt, the director of income generation at Michael Sobell Hospice, said: “We are delighted that Brunel University London has agreed to host this exciting new event, which will raise much-needed funds to help local people with lifelimiting illnesses.”

The colour dash is on Friday, October 31 and starts at 2pm. Entrants must be at least 11 years old, and anyone up to age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Younger children are welcome to come along and support the runners.

Spectators will be able to buy bags of colour to throw at the runners in specific locations and a range of fun, coloured merchandise will be on sale.

The dash, organised by the Union of Brunel Students and volunteers from the university, is not just open to students, anyone is welcome to take part.

Entrants are asked to aim to raise at least £50 in sponsorship for Michael Sobell Hospice. Anyone who raises £100 or more by October 25 will qualify to pick up a special #colourdash top on the day.

You can sign up at w w w. m i c h a e l s o b e l l hospice.co.uk or by calling 01923 844 730.

A registration fee of £15 for adults and £12.50 for 11- to 18-year-olds and students, includes a white T-shirt, sunglasses and your own bag of colour to release at the mass colour throw.