Vincents backs St John’s for Garstang Colour Dash 2020
Lancashire law firm sponsors third event for local hospice
It’s now an annual event on the town’s calendar, and Vincents Solicitors is once again proud to be sponsoring the Garstang Colour Dash. The 2020 event will be the third annual fundraiser staged in Garstang to raise money for St John’s Hospice, and promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
Vincents will once again be headline sponsor, helping cover costs of putting on the event so all entry fees and sponsorship can go directly towards patient care.
Four other local businesses are also pledging their support. Display Wizard, Towers + Gornall, Yorkshire Building Society, and the Garstang Country Hotel will each sponsor of the four ‘colour stations’ from where volunteers will pelt runners with coloured powder as they pass by. Garstang Furniture Shop is also playing its part, acting as a collection point for ‘dashers’ to collect their entry packs before the event.
This year’s Colour Dash takes place on Sunday May 17th and will follow the same route as previous years, starting and ending at Cherestanc Square outside Booths. Refreshments and entertainment will again be provided, and local cafes and retailers are being encouraged to open to make the most of the crowds.
Last year more than 500 people took part in the 5km run, with the same number again lining the course in support. This year organisers have released 700 places and hope to beat last year’s fundraising total of £10,000.
Lisa Lodge, head of Vincents’ Garstang office and the team’s lead ‘dasher’ can’t wait to get her running gear ready for the race. She said: “It’s amazing that in just a couple of years the Garstang Colour Dash has become such a highly anticipated annual event for the town. While most of the ‘dashers’ are locals, it’s such a fun and worthwhile event that it really does bring in people from all over Lancashire.
“Everyone I know who did it last year has been waiting for the 2020 date to be announced, so I’m absolutely delighted to confirm it’s on Sunday May 17th. We were thrilled the event raised more than £10,000 to support the incredible work that St John’s Hospice does for the people of this area, and can only hope we can match or beat that total again this May, I just hope the weather is as glorious.”
St John’s Hospice has opened registrations for the fun run, with all entry fees going towards patient care. Registration is necessary and can be done online up to Monday May 11, or on the day up to 11.30am. The race will start at 12noon.
Karen Crossley, community fundraiser at St John’s Hospice said: “Fundraising is absolutely crucial for St John’s Hospice to continue to provide the vital care for people with life-limiting illnesses, and events like this quite literally keep us going. The people of Garstang have been so supportive of the Hospice and the Colour Dash since it launched in 2018, and we’re hoping this year’s event will be even bigger and better.
“Making fundraising fun is so important if we want people to take part and engage with the charity, and this is one of the very best events that we stage. People are so fond of it that we’re actually holding three this year, in Kendal and Morecambe as well as Garstang, which together have the potential to raise more than £30,000 for the Hospice. We are so grateful to anyone who comes out to support the Hospice, and to the people of Garstang for welcoming us once again. We can’t wait to see you all on May 17th.”
To register for the Garstang Colour Dash sign up online www.sjhospice.org.uk/colourdash
Pictured: Fun in the sun at last year’s Garstang Colour Dash. The 2020 event will be on Sunday May 17th, and is now open for registration.