Big hearted Dad pays tribute as our Colour Run raises over £40,000

A multi marathon running dad from Huddersfield joined BBC Happy Valley star Rhys Connah and colourful crowds of supporters for our 9th Colour Run on Saturday

Big hearted Dad pays tribute as our Colour Run raises over £40,000.

A multi marathon running dad from Huddersfield joined BBC Happy Valley star Rhys Connah and colourful crowds supporters for our 9th Colour Run on Saturday.

We supported Chris Hudson’s family after their baby daughter Beatrice sadly died in 2021. Wanting to give back after the care they received, he’s recently run the Yorkshire Marathon, the London Marathon and finished with the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon – one marathon for each of his children, raising over £4,000.

Alongside wife Helen and daughter Emmeline, Beatrice’s twin sister, Chris shared his family’s story with the Colour Run crowd from the main stage. They then joined around 700 participants who ran, walked, jogged and wheeled through clouds of colour at Greenhead Park.

Chris said, “Forget Me Not are absolute angels. Throughout our journey, they’ve supported us immeasurably, holding our hands literally and metaphorically. They provided specialist care and counselling, helped us with birth plans and provided EMDR treatment for Helen who developed complex PTSD. There isn’t that kind of support on the NHS.

As much as our family and friends were there for us, it’s all down to Forget Me Not that we’re stood here today.

And we wouldn’t be stood here either if it wasn’t for the donations of all you guys here today – it really does make an absolute difference. Today you’re going to fill Greenhead Park with colour and fill Greenhead Park with love. Thank you ever so much.”

Among the Colour Run participants were other families running in memory of a child, alongside some of the children we care for. Everyone taking part was encouraged to fundraise, with the total so far – including corporate sponsorship – reaching over £40,000.

As much as our family and friends were there for us, it’s all down to Forget Me Not that we’re stood here today.

Chris Hudson, dad

Stephanie Parker, Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Forget Me Not, said:

“What a wonderful day! So much joy, so much community and, of course, so much colour! We thank everyone who has come along to participate today and created many more special memories. Thanks especially to Chris Hudson for sharing his family’s story from the stage. A massive thank you too to everyone who has worked so hard to make this event a success, including all the volunteers who have given up their time today to help.”

“Lots of local businesses and people have also contributed to today’s success. We couldn’t have done any of it without the generous support of our main sponsor Charlesworth Family Group who also sponsored our red colour station and our five other fabulous colour station sponsors: Aflex Hose, Shepley Spring, Propack, Moorspace Storage and Huddersfield Round Table.

Thanks also to Ministry of Colour, Myers Group and Yorkshire Fence Hire for supplying essential kit free of charge, Helen and the dancers from Pennine Academy of Dance, singer Beth Hannaway, Emma from Kirklees Active Leisure for our warm up and cool down, DJ Gary Duncan for entertaining the crowds, the Fire Service and West Yorkshire Police for attending, our event photographer Lee Fretter for capturing the day so beautifully and our ambassador Rhys Connah for getting the race off to a great start! “