Colourful day out raises vital cash for Keech

With an electric atmosphere, Bedfordshire’s first ever Colour Dash on Sunday saw 100 colour bandits cover participants from head to toe as they ran the 5k course in aid of the Luton hospice.

Mark Relf, Keech’s community and events fundraising manager said the support and money raised for adults and children with end of life illnesses was “truly amazing”.

He said: “What can I say, it was a sell out, everyone had a brilliant time and raised an amazing amount of money for Keech.

“Keech’s care extends to the entire family and events like today mean when it seems nothing will ever be the same again, Keech can be there to help and support the whole family whilst caring for their very sick loved ones either at the hospice, in their own home – wherever the support is needed.

“So thank you Bedfordshire for coming out, having fun and showing your true colours.”

First to cross the finish line was 21-year-old, Paul Whyman from Welwyn Garden City.

“It was so much fun,” Paul said. “The atmosphere is amazing and I’m totally covered. I was promised I would look like I’d walked through a rainbow and I do. I signed up as Keech looked after my late uncle. I ran this today for him and anything I can do to help Keech, I will.”

Lisa Zsentko, from Stotfold, ran whilst pushing her three-year-old son, Stone, around the course and through all the colour bandit stations.

“We had a ball,” said Lisa.” “Without Keech, my son would not be alive today. Stone was diagnosed with meningitis which left him severely brain damaged. Keech has helped and supported my whole family to come to terms with what’s happened and deal with our newly found circumstances.”

Keech Hospice Care provides care for children from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes and adults from Luton and south Bedfordshire with progressive, life-limiting conditions from diagnosis up until the end of their life.