Last year, the colourful event raised over £20,000 for Treetops Hospice Care which provides nursing care and emotional support for adults and their families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The 5km Colour Rush starts at 10am and participants can run, jog, walk or skip around the route whilst coloured powder paints are fired from eight colour stations. Fancy dress is optional but can add to the fun!
We’ve supported Treetops in lots of ways as we really appreciate what they did for us
Amongst those taking part is Andrew Lakin, 56yrs, from Swadlincote, who will be taking part along with his family to remember his late wife, Julie.
“Julie died last July from a brain lymphoma when she was 52. She was having care at home for several weeks and during that time I was off work looking after her.
“When the Treetops Hospice at Home nurses came in during the day I was able to get out of the house for a few hours and have a bit of respite. The nurse gave me a lot of advice about Julie’s care as well.”
“Julie was very bubbly, she’d talk to anyone and got on with everybody. Everybody loved her.
“We donated Julie’s clothes to the Treetops charity shop and when we had the funeral, half of the money we collected went to Treetops. We’ve supported Treetops in lots of ways and anything that comes up really, as we really appreciate what they did for us.”
Julie and Andrew’s children, Josh, Megan and Carli are taking part along with their grandchild Jack.
The Treetops nurses were like a light in the darkness
Carli said:
“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.”
An ocean of colour from start to finish
Mary Rose, Treetops senior community and events fundraiser said:
“The Colour Rush is one of our favourite Treetops events as it involves the whole family and all age groups. Everyone has a different reason for taking part. Many people come to remember a loved one, create family memories or simply to have fun and for fitness.
“It’s a spectacular ocean of colour from start to finish. We start by firing colour cannons over everyone waiting to set off and then at every colour station, even more colour is thrown as you run through so you end up being covered head to toe by the end.
“Registration is now open so we urge you to come and join us on what’s going to be an amazing, fun event.”
Advance registration costs £15 for adults, £10 for children (under 16yrs) and a group ticket (2 adults and 2 children) costs £40. Tickets can also be purchased on the day at an increased price.
Children (under 16s) must be accompanied by an adult who is taking part in the event.
Treetops services include Support and Information, a Day Care Unit, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.