Ollie Young Foundation Volunteers

Reading community groups are being asked to put some colour in their lives by volunteering to shower people with powder paint in June.

They are needed by the children’s hospice Helen & Douglas House for its Rainbow Run in Prospect Park in Tilehurst on Sunday, June 21.

The charity which looks after children and young adults wants volunteer groups to take on one of five paint stations along the 3km route, covering runners, joggers and walkers from head-to-toe with their chosen paint colour and help raise funds for the local charity.

The Ollie Young Foundation, from Wokingham has taken on the blue paint station for a second year but the orange, violet, green and yellow paint stations are still available.

Sarah Simpson, Ollie’s mother and founder of the Ollie Young Foundation said: “We are very excited to be back to help at the Helen & Douglas House Rainbow Run for a second year running, just try keeping us away!

“Last year’s run was a colourful affair for all concerned. Donning our Ollie blues and manning the corresponding blue paint stand we spent the Reading Rainbow Run covering all the lovely charity runners and walkers in our signature blue – much to their (and our) delight!”
Ollie, who spent time at Helen House, died from a paediatric brain tumour the day before his sixth birthday.

Poppy Hanbury, senior community and activities fundraiser, said: “The Rainbow Run is a great way to have fun with friends. Last year’s groups said that it was more fun throwing the paint at runners than it could be running it. They went on to say it was the best way to have a great laugh and build team spirit and everyone was talking about it for weeks. We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to support our families and we cannot do this without the help of people from our local community, so we’re pleased this is such a fun event for everyone.”

Anyone interest in helping out at the run call 01865 799150 or email rainbow@helenanddouglas.org