Brightening Peoples Lives
With all the doom and gloom of the current economic climate, it’s about time that the public receives news about an event that is absolutely bursting with colour, is focused on the local community and has a real heart warming feel good factor – that item is the Colourthon, a major charity event, back for 2010, bigger and better than ever!!!
The organisers, Southend Round Table together with prime sponsor, Insure and Go, have pulled out all the stops this year to make the 2010 event the biggest and best ever. Returning to walk this year will be popular Olympic swimmer and star of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Mark Foster. Joining him for her first ever Colourthon will be star of Channel 4’s popular TV quiz show, Rachel Riley. This will be the fourth Colourthon and since the inaugural event in 2007, it has raised a staggering £500,000+ for 236 charities.
The Colourthon comprises of two events that both take place on the 3rd July. The main event is the Moonlight Colourthon which is a 13.5 mile charity fun walk taking in the sights and sounds of Southend by night. Inspired by the various London based charity walks, the Colourthon takes place at night time, with walkers who enter being encouraged to wear bright and colourful clothes to illuminate Southend, and draw attention to the whole spectacle. During the day, there will be a smaller event designed primarily for children called the Sunlight Colourthon. It is hoped that local schools will get behind this and use it as a means to generate much needed funds for themselves.
The Colourthon has a unique selling point, as it is up to the participants to choose who will benefit from their efforts. The only stipulation being that the receiving charity must be a registered one. Lead organiser for the Colourthon, Julian Hart said. “The Colourthon just keeps going from strength to strength....it’s amazing. Last year was very special to me, as hitting the half million pound milestone in just three years was unbelievable. Looking forward to this year, I am really excited as the guys at Insure and Go have been awesome, Mark Foster liked it so much he’s coming back for more, and we’re really pleased to welcome Rachel Riley to the event. I think it’s too early to start dreaming about hitting the million pound milestone just yet – but I would like to see the 2010 event give us a big step towards it.” “Application forms for the event are available from today throughout many locations in the Southend area or you can register online via our official event website – www.colourthon.org .” “More than ever, charities need our help and financial support, so, we need the public to read this and want to get involved and take up the challenge.
With such help, the Colourthon has the potential to really make a real difference to registered charities in the area.” Walkers wishing to enter the Colourthon must nominate a registered charity who they will collect sponsorship money for. If they’re not sure who to walk for, the official event website may give them some inspiration. Come on, don’t delay, pick up your form and start training for the Colourthon.
Mat Osborne
