Let’s colour St Neots every shade of the rainbow for our local hospice

June 25, 2021

That’s the message from big-hearted volunteers as they work to bring the first-ever PaintRush in support of Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice to St Neots in Cambridgeshire this summer.

The 5K family friendly ‘full of colour’ outdoor fun run, supported by Cedabond, will take place at Riverside Park on Sunday 15 August.

It’s being organised by volunteers to help raise vital funds so Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice can be there when it matters for local families from across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

People can find out more about the PaintRush and register online at: http://sueryder.org/events

Chelsea Zwetsloot is on the committee of volunteers helping to arrange the event. She said: “PaintRush is a bold and beautiful event that will really brighten up your 2021. We hope to welcome people to run, jog, walk or skip while getting showered in multi-coloured paint, in support of a much loved local charity which makes such a big difference to many local people.

“You’ll cross the finish line covered in colour with a big smile on your face, take home some amazing memories and experience the feel good factor of helping families when it matters most. At the event, we will follow and apply the latest government Coronavirus guidance in order to keep our participants safe.

“We wanted to put on a special event to help support a truly special place, which is close to the hearts of many of us on the volunteer committee. I will never forget the phenomenal care they gave to me and my family when my grandad was cared for in their inpatient unit.

“The hospice’s nurses, doctors and staff have carried on caring and being there when it matters for patients and their loved ones throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Now it’s our turn to be there and support them by raising vital funds.”

Joanne Landucci, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, added: “The Coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on our charity’s funding. Over the past year, our fundraising events have been cancelled and our shops had to close several times. We remain heavily reliant on voluntary income from our incredible supporters and from fundraising events like PaintRush.

“As lockdown restrictions ease and the roadmap out of the pandemic continues, we’re really pleased that fundraising events are getting the green light again. We can’t wait to see the first ever PaintRush in support of Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice come to Cambridgeshire. It will raise vital funds for families needing our expert and compassionate palliative care and bereavement support.

“We’re thrilled to have such a fantastic group of big-hearted volunteers making this happen, with the kind support of Cedabond. One of our Sue Ryder sister hospices has held PaintRush events and feedback from the participants is that it’s a one-of-a-kind, feel good event for all the family.

“Enjoy a day full of colour and raise vital funds to help us continue to be there when it matters most – filling someone’s last days with love.”

Starting and finishing at Riverside Park in St Neots on Sunday 15 August, there will be a vibrant and fun warm up and atmosphere. Attendees can run, jog or walk the 5K route dotted with paint throwing stations.

Tickets cost £18 per adult and £13 per young adult (12-17 years). With the event expected to be extremely popular, PaintRush participants are urged to sign up early to avoid missing out.

For more information and to register online, visit: http://sueryder.org/events and click on ‘Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice PaintRush 2021’.

Please email the hospice’s fundraising team at: stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org or call them on 01767 642 412 with any queries.