Fun Rainbow Run for Children’s Hospice

ON Saturday, June 24, Oxford’s ‘Rainbow Run’ will take place at Cutteslowe Park to raise money for local children’s and young adults’ hospice, Helen & Douglas House.

The fun run is just 3km long and suitable for the whole family. Running, walking or wheeling round, you will be showered from head-to-toe with powdered paint – all the colours of the rainbow. With no winners or official times the ‘Rainbow’ Run is less about speed and more about enjoying a fun day with friends, family or work colleagues.

Jack, who will be three at the end of July, lives in Thame with his mummy and daddy Mary and Robert. He is a gorgeous, smiley toddler, but he was born with severe brain trauma. Mum, Mary explained: “We thought, we are not going to be able to cope with this and we couldn’t imagine life. It wasn’t the life we had expected.”

The family were referred to Helen & Douglas House and Mary described the first visit to Helen House and how it helped her bond with Jack: “Jack was a month old. I really didn’t have any bonding with Jack in hospital so to have my first little cuddles with him….. that was an amazing feeling and I really felt like a mum then. It was overwhelming to have people around who could look after Jack and give us guidance and give us time to adapt.”

Jack in Helen House

The family now have regular respite stays at Helen House. Mary added: “We are truly grateful to have Helen House. It is an amazing place!”

Hannah Barrett, Events Fundraising Manager, Helen & Douglas House, said: “The ‘Rainbow Run’ is fun for everyone and, as a bonus, people also say it makes them feel really good raising money for a great local charity caring for terminally ill young people and their families.”

Entry fees are £12 for children aged 13 and under, free for under 5’s, and £17.50 for adults. Entry fees cover the cost of the event and entrants are encouraged to also raise money to care for young patients and their families through anything from baking cakes and selling them, to sponsorship.
Sign up now for the Rainbow Run by visiting www.helenanddouglas.org.uk. Email:  events@helenanddouglas.org.uk T: 01865 799150.