Kids In Need’s inaugural colour run fundraiser on Sunday went off so well the charity is already planning the next one.
Lewis Lawyers brought a few of their number along. Pictured here after the run are, from left, Amelia Hunt, Kendal Rea, Danni Allen and Tori McRae.
Bradley and Joanna Jacques stop for a frame shot after doing the run with their son Oliver, 8.
They sold an impressive 800 tickets to what they called the 2024 ‘Colour Cambridge’ community event, held at the Hautapu Sports Club grounds. Many among them donned white Kids in Need t-shirts before running around the roughly 2km track where they were doused with coloured paint and sprayed with water, courtesy of the Cambridge Fire Brigade, then ending their run through a hail of bubbles.
Mosaic Choir stalwart, Cambridge’s Katrina Richards, taking a load off after the run. The choir is a longstanding supporter of Kids in Need Waikato.
Kids in Need Waikato founder Linda Roil thanked the crowd for supporting the charity she founded with her husband Graeme in 2018, four years after they started fostering children.
The couple started the charitable trust after finding there was a void in support offered to foster children and their caregivers, so began by providing age-appropriate care-packs for children around the region, from newborns up to age 18.
Kids in Need Waikato founder Linda Roil on stage at the start of the event, welcomed in by The Breeze emcees Camille and Stu.
The need for assistance continues to grow, she said.
“We are currently providing ongoing support to 1300 children in the Waikato, and with those 1300, there are over 500 caregivers who we also support,” she said. “We are making a huge difference in their lives, and by being here today, you are helping us make that difference. We are very grateful.”
Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk with Best Costume award-winners, bananas Quinn Wanden from Tirau, and Tokoroa’s Bonnie Shaw. With them are Kids in Need helper Amanda Gow.
Also there on Sunday were local Olympians, including Ellesse Andrews, Matt MacDonald, Kate Haines, Rebecca Petch, Lucy Spoors, Shaane Fulton and Sam Dakin.
Runners being dowsed in red at the race’s first paint station.
Olympian Sam Dakin chatting with one of the presenters, Sarah-Cowley-Ross.
Leamington trio Nicole Skivington with her daughters Summer, 11, and Chelsea, 7, also won a Best Dressed Family award.
Rachael Ward and her son Alexander, 5, came down for some fun in the sun.
Running past the photo frame at the finish, these three headed off for another lap.
Some families had them starting young.
Runners bursting through the bubbles at the end. Photos: Viv Posselt
The Crooks family did themselves proud – John, Amanda and Charlotte, 8.
Cooking up a storm in her dinosaur suit was Cambridge High School student Livvy Taylor, 14.
Cambridge’s Jacques family – Bradley, Joanna and Oliver, 8, – were one of two Best Dressed Family award winners.
Running through the water spray – deftly directed by members of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade – these participants headed off to more paint stations.
