Hundreds enjoy colourful day at fundraising run

PEOPLE added a splash of colour to Porthcawl this weekend as hundreds took part in the town’s Rainbow Run.

The event, which is organised by children’s charity Ty Hafan, was held on Saturday. Runners ended up covered in paint and sparkles to raise cash for the charity.

The big run took place on the promenade in front of the Coney beach amusement arcade, and it’s inspired by the Indian Holi festival of colour.

Participants could either run or walk the 5km route – but powder paint was thrown at them at every kilometre.

Even though the event is a lot of fun, it also aims to raise money for children with life limiting conditions and their families across Wales. Last year more than 1,300 people took part, and the runners raised around £50,000. This year’s event was a sell out.

The Sully-based children’s hospice cares for children like four-year-old Callum Sainsbury, who was diagnosed with Ohtahara Syndrome. When he was five weeks old, he started fitting. Eventually he was having at least 19 fits a day and was hospitalised for nearly four months.

It took almost a year before he was diagnosed with Ohtahara Syndrome. Callum has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and scoliosis – curvature of the spine. He can’t walk, talk or even smile.

His mum, Amie, said: “Ty Hafan has been my rock. They help us as a family and make us feel so welcome when we visit. They have helped us so much and we can’t thank them enough.”