Hospice's Colour Run adds splash of brightness to Hartlepool's coastline

Runners getting pelted with powdered paint.

The annual Colour Run in aid of Alice House Hospice took place at Seaton Carew earlier today.

More than 200 runners, including children, ran the 5km route while being pelted with paint powder bombs.

Last year’s event saw fundraisers bring in £10,000 for the hospice, which provides comfort to people, and their families with life-limiting illnesses, and this year’s efforts are set to generate a similar amount.

Janice Forbes, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: “It’s been a brilliant event once again and everyone has enjoyed it.

“We’re expecting to raise in the region of £10,000 again once everyone has sent their sponsorships in.

“We’ve been lucky that the rain has held off. However, it makes it far easier to clean up if it does rain - it washes all the colour away.”

Best friends Sam Mason, 17, and Maddie Stoddart, 18, both from Bishop Cuthbert, raised about £350 by taking part in the event.

Maddie, a council apprentice, said: “It’s been such fun.

“I found it quite hard though as people were cheering us, so I was trying to thank them and then every time I opened my mouth it was getting full of paint.

“The atmosphere has been brilliant.”

Sam, a student, said: “This was the first time we’ve taken part, but it’s been really good.

“We’ve raised around about £350, but we’re still collecting it in, so it might be a little more.

Debbie Bramfitt and Jane Cockroft were covered from head to toe in paint.

The friends had been running with Jane’s daughter Holly, 14, and Debbie’s cousin Lilly Armstrong, 12.

Jane, who is a senior health care assistant at the hospice, said: “It’s wonderful to know so many people who are taking part or manning the colour stations.”