Bolton Hospice hosts 2026 Colour Run event at Queen’s Park

Participants of all ages and abilities took on the 5k route around Queen’s Park on Sunday, running through clouds of colour whilst raising funds for Bolton Hospice.

The event was staggered into two waves with entertainment and warm-ups in between runs.

Runners were sponsored to take on the challenge, with many fundraising in memory of loved ones.

Participant, Sarah, ran in memory of her husband, Daniel. Her children, Alfie and Harry, also took on the run to remember their daddy.

Sarah explained that the event was a fun opportunity for friends and family to come together, remember Daniel and to raise vital funds at the same time.

“Daniel passed away last year after a battle with melanoma.

During his cancer and palliative care treatments, Bolton Hospice were really supportive, not just with him, but with the children and me too.

We accessed services at the hub. The complementary therapies really helped us process what was happening and allowed us to take some mindful moments during life with cancer.

We did Bubble Rush last year, but this time we’ve got a huge group of us together, all raising money in memory of Daniel.” – Sarah, Colour Run fundraiser

Event sponsors each had their own designated colour station: Stateside Foods, Greenhalgh’s, Pierce Business Advisory and Accountancy Group, Percy Doughty, Carrs Pasties.

Colour station volunteers threw powder at runners at several points throughout the route in combination with giant mass colour throws at the start line and event village.

Station volunteer, Chris, said the event was a chance to give back while also having fun.

“Having experienced the care and compassion Bolton Hospice provides to patients and families first-hand, I wanted to help out in whichever way I could.

“I know how much the hospice depends on the public’s generous donations. The colour run was so much fun, it was amazing to see hundreds of people of different abilities coming together to raise vital funds.

“I wasn’t expecting to get quite as covered as I did, but it made things even more fun.”

Local football club AFC Bolton also volunteered their time, providing penalty shootouts and skill courses alongside food stalls from Carrs Pasties and Greenhalgh’s.

Fundraising Manager, Angela Griffiths, described support from sponsors and volunteers as “amazing”.

She said: “We are overwhelmed by the incredible turnout and enthusiasm at this year’s Colour Run.

“Thank you to every single person who took part, whether you walked, ran, or danced the course, or volunteered your time.

“Your participation not only created a truly incredible atmosphere but will also make a significant difference to the lives of people facing life-limiting illnesses in our community.

“We’d like to extend our thanks as well to our sponsors.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of local businesses, which means we can raise even more vital funds and be there for even more families when they need us most.”

Participants were each encouraged to raise £24 in sponsorship, equivalent to an hour of compassionate nursing care at the hospice, but many participants raised much more.

Monies are still being collected and counted, but Colour Run 2026 is on track to be a huge success thanks to fundraisers, supporters and volunteers.