Colourful way to raise cash

Participants in last year's Wigan and Leigh 5k Colour Run

The Wigan and Leigh 5k Colour Run which raises money for Wigan and Leigh Hospice (WLH) will once again burst into life this September.

Organised by the Hindley-based charity and the Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, the colour run will once again take place at Pennington Flash Country Park in Leigh.

Last year more than 1,600 people ran, jogged or walked around the track at the popular beauty spot, creating a colourful spectacle while raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Colour Run participants are given a bag of powder paint which is thrown into the air at the start of the run. They are then covered in red, blue, purple, green and red powder paints as they run past individual colour stations.

This year’s will be the fourth colour run for the hospice and the event has quickly become popular, with the 2016 editionraising a grand total of £23,759.50.

Organisers say this year’s will once again be a day to remember and the format will be given a few tweaks to make the event as enjoyable as possible.

Maxine Armstrong, WLH fund-raising and lottery manager, said: “The Colour Run was a huge success in 2016 and we’re really excited for this year’s event.

“It’s a fun event for the whole family that requires no training or specialist kit. Just come along and have a great time.

“It’s a good idea to wear white so that the colours will really stand out and by the end everyone is covered from head to toe!”

Mike Wearden, project and fund-raising manager for the Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, said: “Last year’s event was a huge success! The event has truly become the biggest and most anticipated Colour Run in the borough and we will be making significant changes to make the event even bigger and better this year.”

Early Bird tickets are now available starting at £12 per adult and £6 per child under 15 years old. Party Packages are also available which include a bag of paint, t-shirt, sunglasses, rainbow tutu and medal.

The Wigan and Leigh 5K Colour Run begins at noon on Sunday, September 17.