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Charities were nominated for the 2011 Colourthon!
Frequently Asked Questions
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When are the 'Colourthon' events?
When will the events be launched?
What is the Southend 'Moonlight Colourthon'?
What is the Southend 'Sunlight Colourthon'?
How do we register for the events?
What does our application fee cover?
How will charities collect the money raised on their behalf?
I've returned my application, what next?
What happens if you receive an application without a charity nominated on it?
When do walkers get their T-shirts and walking number?
Why are you only allowing registered charities to have walkers walk for them?
We would like to feature your event in newsletters / website - do you have any artwork we can use?
Is there a closing date for entries into this event?
I want to pay by Credit/Debit Card, what is the administration fee for?
Q: When are the 'Colourthon' events?
A: The Moonlight and Sunlight Colourthon events will take place on Saturday, 7th July 2012.
Q: When will the events be launched?
A: We will launch this year's events on the Friday 2nd March, 2012. This will be done via our website, local media and through our network of schools and retail outlets that have agreed to support our event.
Q: What is the Moonlight Colourthon?
A: This is our main event. It is, in a nutshell, a half marathon walk set against the backdrop of Southend by night. Walkers will leave Chalkwell Park at 8pm wearing an array of bright and colourful clothing, and will walk a 13+ mile course around the Southend area. Due to health and safety issues, this event is for adults only (defined as aged 16 and over).
Q: What is the Sunlight Colourthon?
A: This event is primarily, but not exclusively, aimed at the younger generation. It is in essence a walk around a pre-determined circuit within Chalkwell Park. The walk takes place between 3pm and 5pm on the same day as the Moonlight Colourthon. The challenge is to walk as many laps as you can within the time given. Walkers are encouraged to dress as colourfully and imaginatively as they can and although entrants to the Sunlight Event do not receive T-Shirts they do get an exclusive medal when they complete the challenge. Due to health and safety issues, entrants under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent of guardian.
Q: How safe are the events?
A: Our safety record is second to none, although, in the event that something does happen, Southend Round Table nationally holds a public liability insurance policy, full details of which have been lodged with the Local Authority.
For these events, as we do for all our other events, we will continue to work closely with the Local Authority, Police and other relevant bodies to ensure that we are as safe as we can be. We are also working closely with organisations such as Ladies Circle and 41 Club to secure their assistance with the stewarding of the events. As you will appreciate, 13 miles is a large area to cover.
Q: How do we register for the events?
A: You can pick up an information leaflet and registration document from many retail outlets, schools and sports/social clubs or by downloading a form from this website or this year we have set up the facility to register online and for a minimal administration fee pay through PayPal by credit/debit card. Once you have completed the form return it to us with your fee and we'll do the rest.
Cheque's for registration and merchandise should be made payable to:-
'Moonlight Colourthon Charitable Trust' and posted to:
Colourthon Events, PO. Box 5910, Southend on Sea, SS1 9JZ.
Q: What does the entrance fee cover?
A: Entry fee to the 'Moonlight Colourthon' is £15 and the 'Sunlight Colourthon' is £2.50. These amounts are to cover the costs associated with setting up the infrastructure of this event, including the provision of some official merchandise (t-shirt, wrist band, medal, etc.) for each walker, Please note:entrants to the Sunlight Colourthon do not receive a T-Shirt. We hope along the way to attract corporate sponsorship and sell additional merchandise to also offset some of these costs.
Q: How will charities collect the money raised on their behalf?
A: Southend Round Table is organising this event along similar lines to the London Marathon. We are organising the infrastructure only and will only collect entrance fees to meet these costs. The collection of any funds (sponsorship money) generated by each walker is the responsibility of the charity to collect from the walker and bank themselves. As mentioned above, following the event each charity will be issued with a list of the entrants that have walked on their behalf together with their contact details and the amount pledged (if available).
Q: Are the 'Moonlight Colourthon Charitable Trust' or 'Southend Round Table' profit making organisations?
A: No they are NOT profit making organisations. The event is wholly organised by the 'Moonlight Colourthon Charitable Trust' on behalf of the 'Southend Round Table' on a totally voluntary basis. So, as previously stated in our Application Form, any surplus funds from the entrance fees will distributed by ‘Southend Round Table' to many varied charitable beneficiaries. In the event that the total entrance fees do not cover our costs, Southend Round Table will cover the loss by way of a donation to the event on the basis that it will enable other charities to raise funds.
Q: I've returned my application - what next?
A: On receipt of a properly completed application form, we will send you your Walkers Pack including your official sponsorship form (n.b. this form and any subsequent forms must be brought to the registration desk on the day of the event), fitness advice from ‘David Lloyd Leisure', plus other materials and an exclusive ‘Colourthon' wrist band. Please note: Confirmation packs will not be sent out before 30th April, 2012.
Q: What happens if you receive an application with no charity indicated?
A: If no charity has been nominated you will be entered as walking for ‘Southend Round Table' for their beneficiaries.
Q: So, when do walkers get their t-shirt?
A: Walkers will receive their t-shirt and registration number by post within two weeks of the event.
Q: Why are you only allowing registered charities to have walkers walk for them?
A: As organisers we understand that it is impossible to totally protect ourselves from the risk of any fraud being committed by a body or group, using our event as part of their deception. It would be unrealistic for us to vet each and every beneficiary so by permitting registered charities only, we hope that the accreditation of being registered with the UK Charities Commission will reduce any such risk.
Q: We would like to feature your event in one of our internal newsletters / website - do you have any artwork we can use?
A: Additional media is available on request; this includes electronic versions of our logo etc. If you can supply us with your electronic logo we will endeavor to include it within our website with a direct link to your charity website, if applicable. Artwork should be e-mailed to, Julian Hart (jh@colourthon.org) together with your charity's details and the full address of the website to be linked to. Requests for editorial content and advice should be directed to, Mat Osborne (mo@colourthon.org).
Q: Is there a closing date for entries into this event?
A: As at the time of writing, the closing date for all entries to the event will be the 30th June, 2012 or, when the organisers consider the event/s to be full. Please note: Welcome Packs will not be posted after Tuesday 28th June, 2011. Entrants registering on or after that date can collect their Welcome Packs from the Registration Tent on the day of the event.
Q: Who is supporting this event?
A: As at the time of writing, we have received sponsorship and support from many key individuals and companies. Our members are in the process of speaking to businesses of all sizes to try and secure even more sponsorship. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please contact us and we will send them a copy of our ‘Sponsorship Opportunities' document.
Q: I want to pay by Credit/Debit card, what is the administration fee for?
A: In order to receive online applications or sell merchandise we need to accept Credit/Debit cards. After long research the most sensible and secure way for us to do this was through PayPal. To use this service you, as the customer, DO NOT need to have a PayPal account. As with all banks there is a minimal commission fee dependant on the transaction type and value. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the transaction total. As a non-profit making organisation we cannot afford to carry this additional cost which is levied by PayPal and it will be added to your transaction during the checkout process.
