A NORTH-East hospice held its first in-person event since the start of the pandemic with a colour run.

More than 240 people took part in the event, which was in aid of St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington.

The run saw people dowsed in coloured powder as their teams took it in turn to negotiate a series of obstacles, including jumps, slalom courses, tunnels and netball hoops.

The event at Longfield Academy, Darlington is expected to raise more than £10,000 for the hospice, which needs £3m a year to provide free in-patient and community care for people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Darlington’s mayor Cyndi Hughes was on hand to support competitors who were presented with medals and a goody bag.

The event was sponsored by Charles Clinkard and a team from Darlington-based Physique Fitness club ran pre-run warm-ups, manned a colour station and took part in the event itself.

Charles Clinkard retail managing director Tim Payne said: “We were delighted to sponsor the first mass attendance event St Teresa’s has been able to hold – and it was well worth the wait.”

Physique Fitness manager Deith Bridges said: “St Teresa’s Hospice is our chosen charity and we had planned to do a large fundraiser last year which had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. The Rainbow Rush was a brilliant event and we all had a great time. We are looking forward to seeing how we can help in the future.”

Darlington and Stockton Times:

St Teresa’s Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw added: “Conditions were absolutely perfect and the sun literally shone on our event.

“We have never experienced anything quite like the pandemic and at one point we feared that it was going to be too much for the hospice to endure. But the community has really rallied behind us and thanks to the commitment and ingenuity of our staff, volunteers and wonderfully supportive sponsors the hospice has managed to come through the most difficult period of its history.”

Organisers thanked sponsors Charles Clinkard, Troocost, BNI Invincible, Darlington Rotary, Physique Fitness, Clark Willis Law Firm LLP, Guthrie & Craig Training Services, Darlington Golf Club, Oxford Garage Hurworth, Stan Seaton, PBU (UK) Ltd, MT Print, Glenwood Paint Supplies, and Chem To Kill.

The event was also supported by Aycliffe Radio and Colin McNeillie, Longfield Academy, 1st Stop Party Shop and Darlington Mowden Park RFC.

Anyone wanting to support the hospice can make donations at www.justgiving.com/campaign/hugtostts or contact the events and fundraising team on (01325) 254321 or email events@darlingtonhospice.org.uk.