Local hospice launches first colour run for charity
A charity champion from Dewsbury is calling on more members of the BME community to get involved with local charities as he prepares to take on his latest fundraising mission later this month.
46-year-old Arif Ahmad will be lacing up his running boots to tackle the inaugural Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice colour run alongside his son.
With no direct affiliation to the charity, just a desire to help a local cause, he says he would like to see a greater representation of all cultures and backgrounds sign up for the run.
“My background is in charitable work,” he said. “A couple of years ago, Forget Me Not charity were having tea parties to raise money, and I did a twist on that idea and made samosas instead of cupcakes. The response was fantastic.
“We raised about £550 and have kept in touch ever since. We visit the hospice regularly; everyone is lovely and helpful there. We have a very good relationship with them and are proud to be involved with the charity.
“In particular, the Asian Community may not be aware of these services so we’ve put people in contact with the charity through local Asian radio stations. We want to get the message out there and expose the help that may be available to them.”
Commenting on the run, Arif continued: “It’s a fun family day out, and you don’t have to be serious and run, you can also walk it. It’s a community event that everyone can take part in.
“I haven’t set a target for how much I want to raise, but I’m hoping it will at least be a few hundred pounds.”
The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice Colour Run will take place on 21st May at Farnley Estates with people urged to get colourful and sweaty in the name of charity.
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, who provide care and support to local children with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire, are looking for people to run, jog, walk or dance their way through the 5k rainbow route.
Lucy Burnett, Events Manager at the hospice said: “We are really excited to be launching our first ever Colour Run for 2016. These events are a fantastic spectacle to be a part of and we can’t wait to see our wonderful runners covered in paint come May.
“The Colour Run offers a fantastic event for the whole family to get involved in. Colour Runs are becoming big events across the UK and we are keen to get as many people involved with our run as possible to raise money for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.”
If the rainbow run is something that gets you reaching for your trainers, sign up today at forgetmenotchild.co.uk or call 01484 411040.
