It is hoped that the sponsored event has raised over £10,000 for the charity which provides nursing care and emotional support for adults and their families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Blue, red, orange and green paints were fired at participants from eight colour stations as they jogged, walked and ran along the 5km route through the castle grounds.
Treetops is a great charity who we love to support throughout the year
First across the finish line was Josh Lakin, 28yrs, from Swadlincote. Josh took part in the Colour Rush along with his dad Andrew, sister Carli, and several other family members as a way to remember his late mum, Julie:
“It was my intention to come first right from the start. I’ve never done a Colour Rush before so it was really good and very different.
“There’s a big group of us running in memory of my mum who passed away in 2017. My mum received Hospice at Home care from Treetops and they were really helpful. The nurses sat with mum so my dad could have time out to go shopping or walk the dogs and have a little break from caring for his wife.
“Treetops is a great charity who we love to support throughout the year.”
Treetops nurses were literally like a light in the darkness
Josh’s sister, Carli added:
“At a time when nothing made sense and everything seemed a battle, the Treetops nurses were literally like a light in the darkness. We no longer felt like we were fumbling about alone. We had support and advice that was exactly what we needed.
“It was my mum’s wish to stay at home and receive palliative care and we so wanted to honour her last wish. As a family we had no experience of caring, especially, in a home setting and we were often left feeling stranded not knowing what to do for the best or where to turn for help, something no family should have to deal with when caring for a loved one.
“All that changed when we got in touch with Treetops. From the very first phone call and meeting, we knew that we had found the help and advice we desperately needed as a family. Not only did they advise and give emotional support, they also gave compassionate care to my mum and gave my dad the chance to have some respite from being my mum’s main carer. It was so nice to have people to help us who understood the system and the way palliative care at home works.
“As a family we will forever be grateful and thankful for the Treetops nurses and the whole organisation. They enabled us to care for my mum in her last few weeks at home, where she wanted to be and she passed away peacefully with dignity.”
Spectacular ocean of colour from start to finish
Mary Rose, Treetops senior community and events fundraiser said:
“Today has been a spectacular ocean of colour from start to finish and we hope that everyone’s enjoyed themselves.
“The Colour Rush is one of favourite Treetops events as it brings lots of different people together. Some take part to remember their loved ones and make special family memories, others simply to have fun and get together with friends.
“Our huge thanks go to everyone who’s taken part and to all our Colour Station sponsors and wonderful volunteers – without whom this event couldn’t happen.”
Treetops services include Support and Information, a Day Care Unit, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.