Happy Valley star Rhys Connah will run through a rainbow for a great cause – and you could join him too.
Rhys, who played Sgt Catherine Cawood’s grandson Ryan in the BAFTA award-winning BBC drama, became an ambassador for the Huddersfield-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice earlier this year.
And on Saturday June 8 Rhys will be joining those taking part in Forget Me Not’s Colour Run at Greenhead Park where runners – and walkers – are showered in coloured powder.
Great fun for all the family, the Colour Run sees up to 1,000 participants take on an easy 3km or 5km walk, jog or run while being showered in clouds of coloured powder. By the end of the run, everyone looks like they’ve run through a rainbow!
Rhys said: “I’ve heard great things about the Colour Run, it will definitely be the biggest Forget Me Not event I’ve been to.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the incredible community of families and supporters who will be gathering in Greenhead Park, hearing people’s stories, sharing some laughs and good times, and of course getting colourful!”
Lucy and Ethan Lowe with friends and family at Colour Run 2023
Every year, families who have been supported by Forget Me Not join the run, remembering and celebrating their children.
Among the families taking part are Lucy and Ethan Lowe, from Huddersfield who will be running in memory of their son, Oscar, who died in June 2021 when Lucy was 32 weeks pregnant with him.
Lucy said: “The Colour Run is one of the ways we keep Oscar’s memory alive and is a chance to bring family and friends together to remember Oscar too. Last year we were joined by our closest friends, our parents, our siblings and our rainbow baby, Iris.
“We all wore photos of Oscar around our necks, and I felt such a sense of pride to be able to show his face to everyone taking part in the run. It’s one day that I feel like I can be a true parent to Oscar and speak to others about him.
“There is something really special about that huge number of people coming together to support the hospice.
“We feel proud to be a part of this wonderful Forget Me Not family – to us it’s Oscar’s home and was a real lifeline when we needed it the most.
“Everyone who was on Team Oscar had a fantastic day. There’s such a sense of happiness and love from everyone you pass, and it’s just a sea of smiling, happy faces! We raised £740 in total and we can’t wait to take part again this year.”
Alison Parker, relationship manager at the hospice, said: “Rhys is incredibly generous with his time, we’re thrilled that he’ll be joining us for the day.
“We first met Rhys when he came to open our 13th charity shop, in Hebden Bridge, and he was happy to hang around chatting to fans and posing for selfies. I’m sure people will have ample opportunity to meet him on the day.
“Colour Run is always a special day and last year our colour runners together raised an amazing £32,000 – we’d love to raise even more this year.
“Tickets are still on sale, but there are only 1,000 and we’re expecting them to sell out. So, if you want to join Rhys and be part of the most colourful run in Huddersfield, book your place now!”
Tickets for Forget Me Not’s Colour Run can be purchased at www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk/colourrun
The Colour Run is sponsored by The Charlesworth Family Group (event sponsor) and Ministry of Colours (paint sponsor).
Main image (top): Rhys Connah and his brothers Teddy (centre) and Ryan preparing for Colour Run
