Three marathons and a Colour Run – big hearted Dad pays tribute to Forget Me Not as charity run raises over £40,000. 

A multi marathon running dad joined BBC Happy Valley star Rhys Connah and colourful crowds of Forget Me Not children’s hospice supporters for the charity’s 9th Colour Run in Huddersfield on Saturday.

Chris Hudson’s family were supported by Forget Me Not after their baby daughter Beatrice died in 2021. Wanting to give back after the care they received, he’s recently run the Yorkshire Marathon, the London Marathon and finished with the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon – one marathon for each of his children, raising over £4,000 for the charity.

Alongside wife Helen and daughter Emmeline, Beatrice’s twin sister, Chris shared his family’s story with the Colour Run crowd from the main stage. They then joined around 700 participants who ran, walked, jogged and wheeled through clouds of colour at Greenhead Park.

Chris said, “Forget Me Not are absolute angels. Throughout our journey, they’ve supported us immeasurably, holding our hands literally and metaphorically. They provided specialist care and counselling, helped us with birth plans and provided EMDR treatment for Helen who developed complex PTSD. There isn’t that kind of support on the NHS.

As much as our family and friends were there for us, it’s all down to Forget Me Not that we’re stood here today.

And we wouldn’t be stood here either if it wasn’t for the donations of all you guys here today – it really does make an absolute difference. Today you’re going to fill Greenhead Park with colour and fill Greenhead Park with love. Thank you ever so much.”

Among the Colour Run participants were other families running in memory of a child, alongside some of the children cared for by Forget Me Not. Everyone taking part was encouraged to fundraise in support of the charity, with the total so far – including corporate sponsorship – reaching over £40,000.

Stephanie Parker, Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Forget Me Not, said:

“What a wonderful day! So much joy, so much community and, of course, so much colour! We thank everyone who has come along to participate today and created many more special memories. Thanks especially to Chris Hudson for sharing his family’s story from the stage. A massive thank you too to everyone who has worked so hard to make this event a success, including all the volunteers who have given up their time today to help.”

“Lots of local businesses and people have also contributed to today’s success. We couldn’t have done any of it without the generous support of our main sponsor Charlesworth Family Group who also sponsored our red colour station and our five other fabulous colour station sponsors: Aflex Hose, Shepley Spring, Propack, Moorspace Storage and Huddersfield Round Table.

Thanks also to Ministry of Colour, Myers Group and Yorkshire Fence Hire for supplying essential kit free of charge, Helen and the dancers from Pennine Academy of Dance, singer Beth Hannaway, Emma from Kirklees Active Leisure for our warm up and cool down, DJ Gary Duncan for entertaining the crowds, the Fire Service and West Yorkshire Police for attending, our event photographer Lee Fretter for capturing the day so beautifully and our ambassador Rhys Connah for getting the race off to a great start! “

The children’s hospice, which opened in 2011, supports babies and children with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire. Care is provided at Russell House, their purpose-built facility in Huddersfield, as well as in families’ own homes and within the community.

For more information about Forget Me Not children’s hospice visit https://www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk/