Rossendale Free Press

Kids add dash of colour to fundraiser

- JOSEPH RICHARDS freepressn­ews@menmedia.co.uk @RossFreePr­ess

FAMILIES took part in a ‘Mini Colour Dash’ to raise money for bereavemen­t counsellin­g sessions at a Valley hospice.

Rossendale Hospice, located on the 2nd floor of Rossendale Primary Health Centre on Bacup Road in Rawtenstal­l, raised £4,998 during the recent event.

The money raised can now provide 167 bereavemen­t counsellin­g sessions for children and young people who have lost someone dear to them.

Arranged specifical­ly for the under-16s this year, with families joining either a morning or afternoon session, 146 people took part in the colourful fun day.

Family support lead at the Hospice, Marion McCall, said: “The Family Support Team of counsellor­s want to give a huge thank you to all the children and young people who made such a fantastic effort.

“The money you raised will help many children and their families through sad and difficult times following the death of someone they love.”

The event cost £6 to register, with a request for participan­ts to raise a minimum of £30 to fund one counsellin­g session.

Many children rose to the challenge and raised a fantastic amount, such as Reuben Haworth, who has raised a remarkable total of £858.25, which will now pay for 29 counsellin­g sessions for families in the Valley.

Joanna Williams, senior fundraiser, said: “We were so happy to hold our first event in such a long time due to the pandemic. We wanted an event especially for children to enjoy after the past tough 18 months and it was fantastic to see families have fun together.

“We are so grateful to all our supporters for raising this incredible amount.

The colour dash itself took 30 minutes after a fun warm-up session provided by Dance Like No-One Is Watching. Families enjoyed a packed lunch in the picnic area, and ice cream while market stalls were available to browse in the hall.

Joanna added: “We would like to thank Whitewell Bottom Community Centre for donating use of the venue; Haslingden Tesco for supplying the picnic lunches; Martin Brower

UK Ltd for donating the water; DJ Andy for his super entertainm­ent; Haslingden Girls and Ladies FC for lending us stakes and rope, and Rossendale Radio for their endless support, particular­ly Melanie Kemp who provided dancing unicorn entertainm­ent.

“Finally, but not least, a huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers.”

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 ??  ?? Youngsters taking part in the colour dash at Rossendale Hospice and (right) fundraisin­g hero Reuben Haworth
Youngsters taking part in the colour dash at Rossendale Hospice and (right) fundraisin­g hero Reuben Haworth

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