Bringing colour, community and fundraising together

On Saturday 11 July, people from across Calderdale gathered at Savile Park in Halifax to take part in the annual Overgate Hospice Colour Run, enjoying a day filled with colour, fun and fundraising. More than 1,700 participants joined the event, which has become a highlight of the local calendar.

The 5 kilometre route takes runners around Savile Park playing fields, where they are showered with coloured powder at various points along the course. The event ends with a lively "Colour Party" at the finish line, creating a memorable experience for participants of all ages.

Now in its twelfth year, the Overgate Colour Run continues to bring communities from across Calderdale together, while raising vital funds to support the work of Overgate Hospice.

Overgate Hospice provides expert care, support, advice and information for patients, as well as their families, carers and loved ones. The hospice cares for adults aged 18 and over who are living with a terminal illness or a long-term condition that cannot be cured, often referred to as a life-limiting condition.

The care provided by Overgate Hospice is free of charge, and the organisation is committed to being inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Everyone who needs their support is welcome to access their services

Active Collaboration

Through its partnership with Overgate Hospice, Active Calderdale has helped ensure more Calderdale residents could take part in this colourful community celebration. To make the Colour Run more accessible and inclusive, Active Calderdale provided £1,500 in funding for a free voucher scheme. Working with community organisations in Todmorden (Lionesses of the Valley, Healthy Minds drop-in, Todmorden Group Practice), Park Ward (St Augustine's, Unique Hub and Himmat Project) and North Halifax (Family Hubs, Little Movers, North Halifax Partnership), the vouchers were distributed directly to people facing the greatest barriers to participation.

Around 240 people were able to take part in the event through the scheme. The strong uptake demonstrated the positive impact of removing financial barriers, as well as the demand for opportunities to be active and connect with others in communities where inactivity levels are highest.

For the third year running, the voucher scheme has helped remove the cost of entry for people who may otherwise have been unable to attend. Reflecting Active Calderdale's belief that "everyone in Calderdale deserves the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of moving more", the initiative continues to make community events more accessible to Calderdale residents.