Hundreds join race to help good causes

Some 600 participants of all ages found themselves in the pink at the KM Colour Run on Sunday which raised a huge £25,000 for charity.

Sixty six good causes including Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, Porchlight and Macmillan Cancer Support benefited from the annual fundraiser devised by the KM Group’s charitable division.

The highest individual fundraising honour went to Sarah Gadd, from Ashford who gathered £785 for multiple good causes, whilst Fin Rosen, 5, from Deal was named the youngest finisher – raising £70 for Deal Breastfeeding Support Group.

The event was supported by key partners Barclays, Swanstaff Recruitment, Gardner Croft Solicitors, Countrystyle Recycling, Kent Women in Business Magazine and Betteshanger Park.

A number of those who ran, walked or jogged the 5K fun run opted to raise funds for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance which accumulated over Tracy Spiers and Anna Talbot of Sainsbury’s Ashford took part £2,000 from the event.

All runners each wore a KM Colour Run souvenir T-shirt and sunglasses, and collected a commemorative medal at the finish line.

Event organiser Dominic Comins from the KM Charity Team said: “We welcomed double the number of participants to this year’s Colour Run, and we are overjoyed with both the response to the challenge event, and the amount of money raised. Our runners couldn’t stop smiling, and it provided the perfect result for Kent charities.”

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the charity, was quick to praise key partners for their support, including event hosts Betteshanger Park, near Deal.

“They have been instrumental in making the KM Colour Run such a success.

“As the event grows, their support does too. We are extremely grateful,” he said.

Other challenge events staged annually by the KM Charity Team – and still open for booking – include the Maidstone Big Charity Quiz on Friday, June 24, and the 21st Anniversary KM Charity Walk on Sunday, June 26. Visit www.kmcharityteam. co.uk to secure your place.

Lianne Morsley and supporters from Aldington Primary School, Ashford, took part in the KM Colour Run at Betteshanger Park