Hampshire Hospitals Charity: Thousands raised at colour run

On Saturday, August 3, nearly 300 people from across Hampshire headed to Harewood Forest near Andover to get covered in paint and raise some money. 

The event is the first of its kind for Hampshire Hospitals Charity, which raises funds to enhance the experience of patients and staff at hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester. 

Families, friends and work colleagues from across Hampshire took part in the event. 

READ MORE: Hampshire Hospitals to hold its AGM and public can attend

Everyone had to get as messy as possible (Image: Newsquest)

Nurses from the breast cancer unit at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital were dressed in colourful tutus for the occasion, aiming to raise £800. 

Clare Clayden-Lewis said: "We just wanted to raise funds to buy some equipment to help patients recovering from breast cancer. 

"The charity is essential for us, it really helps us get equipment and things that our patients really need."

@basingstokegazette Well done to everyone who took part 👏 #Hampshire #colourrun #basingstokehospital #run #charity ♬ Dance - DM Production

Kat Brannan travelled from Farnham in Surrey with her family to take part in the event with friends and other home educators. 

She said: "It's just something a bit different isn't it? Some good fun. Some of my children were born in Hampshire, some of our elderly relatives still live here and receive care from the hospitals. It's an important charity."

Cardiac nurser Fawn Morris, who works across all the hospitals, took part in the event with close friends Sam and Sean Butterworth. 

She said: "It's a good bit of fun and it is going to charity, it's a nice thing for the kids to do as well."

Luke Lewis with mum Tracey Lewis and sister-in-law Grace Lewis-White (Image: Newsquest)

Also taking part were Basingstoke residents Tracey Lewis, 52, and her son Luke Lewis, 27, who have both recently lost weight.

Ms Lewis said: "We have been supported by the hospital and they have done so much for us, so we wanted to give something back today."

Six-year-old Myla loves bright colours (Image: Newsquest) Christiane Devlin was taking part with six-year-old daughter Myla. 

The 39-year-old, from Andover, said: "Myla loves bright colours. It's our first time doing something like this, we just wanted to have a bit of fun together and do something for the charity. It's such a good cause."

Members from the Stonehenge Triathlon and Road Club were ready to get colourful before the run had started.

The triathlon club were ready to get colourful (Image: Newsquest) Kate McBain said: "We decided to bring our normal Saturday club run here to support the charity and just have a bit of fun."

The run kicked off at 10.30 am, after a warm-up to hits like Beyonce's Single Ladies and the Cha Cha Slide. 

Participants were invited to run or walk the course around Harewood Forest, throughout the journey they would be splatted covered in eco-friendly paint powder. 

After completing the course, everyone was handed a medal and a goody bag. 

A spokesperson for Hampshire Hospitals Charity said they expected the event to raise £10,000. 

Take a look at the gallery above to see all the photos from the event.