Splash of blue by Progress to Excellence Ltd will boost hospice funds

ONE of the most colourful charity events on the Merseyside calendar is being supported by Progress to Excellence Ltd to raise funds for Claire House children’s hospice.

Thousands of participants in the annual Claire House Splash Dash will be getting covered in powder paint as they pass through a rainbow of paint stations on the 5K course in Liverpool’s Sefton Park.

The Blue Station is being sponsored by Progress to Excellence Ltd.After eight years of running the event, this year’s Splash Dash, being held on Saturday, September 21, is to be the last and organisers are determined to make it a day to remember – and hopefully raise a record amount of money for the hospice.

Damian Burdin, Chief Executive at Progress to Excellence Ld, said: “Claire House is a local charity particularly close to our hearts and in recent years we have helped the hospice by not only raising tens of thousands of pounds to support its vital work in the community but also by volunteering there.

“As sponsors of the Blue Station, we are set on playing our part in ensuring this, the last Splash Dash, will be the best event Claire House has ever done.”Since 2013, Claire House has organised Splash Dash events in Sefton Park and Birkenhead Park; more than 10,000 people have taken part and more than £300,000 has been raised for the hospice as a result.It’s one of Merseyside’s biggest events – and certainly the messiest – where participants can run or walk the 5K course, getting covered in different colours of powder paint.

A fun day for all the family, there’s no minimum or maximum age, the route is perfect for wheelchairs, scooters and trikes and the event isn’t timed – so you can run, walk or dance your way round.

The Blue Station is being manned by the family of Linda and Colin Cook, from Wallasey, whose daughter Ellie was cared for at Claire House before she passed away at the age of seven. All the other paint stations are managed by families who have been supported by Claire House.

Event Manager Mark Pearson added: “The Claire House Splash Dash has been a major event of ours for many years and the atmosphere is incredible on the day. What is really important is that each paint station is managed by a family that’s been supported by the hospice and lots of the children and families who use the hospice take part too.

“It’s our biggest and messiest event and we’ll be taking over Sefton Park with 1,500 people joining in a truly colourful spectacle.

“We would like to give a huge thank-you to Progress to Excellence Ltd for sponsoring the Blue Station and joining the Cook family in remembrance of Ellie.”The Splash Dash starts at 1pm on Saturday, September 21 at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

More details about the event and how to register at https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/events/splashdash2019/