WHITEHAVEN pupils showered in paint have helped raise £5,000 for a local charity.

Jericho Primary School held its first mini colour run to raise cash for West Cumbria's Hospice at Home.

Children, parents and staff joined together on the school field, before breaking for half-term, to bravely tackle the 400m course. 

Over 240 pupils, aged between three and 11 years, took part in the non-competitive event, and were showered with a sea of colourful powder paint.

Entrants were charged a small fee to take part and then asked to raise additional sponsorship. 

The race was started by Paul Coombe, partner and director at Lillyhall-based, landscaping company Coombe & Sharpe Landscaping Ltd, which sponsored the event.

Parents, teaching staff and hospice volunteers enthusiastically manned the paint throwing stations and were joined by local PCSOs.

Shaun Monaghan, headteacher at Jericho, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be supporting Hospice at Home West Cumbria by taking part in this innovative event. Many of our families have been touched in some way by the charity and lots of our teaching staff care deeply about the cause. 

"Our children are always up for some excitement and fun but they are also a very caring lot and they enjoy raising money for people in need.''

Christina Cremins, marketing manager at Hospice at Home West Cumbria said: “We are overwhelmed at the amount of money the Jericho School children have raised through their colour run, £5,000 really is outstanding! It was fantastic to see the whole school get behind the event and put so much effort in to supporting our cause. A big thank you to sponsors Coombe & Sharpe who ensured that every penny raised on the day went to our cause.”

Paul Coombe, partner and director at Coombe & Sharpe said: “We were delighted to sponsor today’s event and it’s been great to come down and see all the kids taking part and having fun. We started our company 28 years ago and in that time we have done lots of work in the area, helping us to slowly expand and get to where we are today.  It’s so important that businesses get involved in community activities like this – it’s great to be able to give something back.”

Local parent, Rikki Dillon, of Caldbeck Road, added, “My son Joseph has been excited for months. It’s great to be able to support Hospice at Home West Cumbria as it’s such a worthwhile charity. We’ve had several family members affected by terminal illnesses so it’s a very personal cause. I ran the Cumbrian Run for Hospice in 2014 but the colour run is a great way for kids to get involved – it’s so much fun.''

For more information on Hospice at Home West Cumbria and its services contact 01900 873173.