AROUND 700 people braved a 5k giant inflatable obstacle course and tons of foam to support a West Cumbrian charity.

Hospice At Home West Cumbria held its first Kapow! Superhero Challenge last weekend at Cockermouth rugby club.

Among them was 10-year-old Eva Sands, of Cockermouth, who took part in the challenge in memory of mum Katie Flagg.

The charity cared for Eva’s mum in the last three months of her life.

Eva’s aunt Jade Fidler completed the course with the Fairfield Primary School pupil.

Jade said: “It was a great event, we really enjoyed it. An emotional but happy day for us all, we are really proud of Eva, she is such a brave little girl.”

Eva also joined CFM’s breakfast show host Robbie Dee on stage to talk about how she was taking part in memory of her mum. She also joined the Mokyfit team and lead the warm-up on stage ahead of the crowds starting the course.

Eva’s grandmother Diane Gannon said: “My daughter Katie was cared for during the last three months of her life by the amazing nurses from Hospice at Home West Cumbria. We can’t thank them enough for the care and support they provided. Katie used to love dancing at the Mokyfit classes so it was lovely to see Eva on stage with the group enjoying herself too.”

Kapow! was the first event of its kind in West Cumbria and saw the participants tackle a course of ten giant inflatable obstacles, dressed as their favourite superheroes.

Obstacles included a 4m-high slide, twisty tunnels and an inflatable maze, all before running through tons of bubbles across the foam finish.

All obstacles were sponsored by local businesses which included Cartmell Shepherd, Lloyds Cockermouth, Cumbria Travel, Cockermouth Round Table, Sellafield Contractors Group Charity Commission, Franks Portlock, KAEFER Ltd, Sellafield Donations Ltd, The Fitz Country House and the events headline sponsor was James Walker.

Stella Walsh, charity’s senior fundraiser, said: “After five fantastic years with the Colour Run, we felt it was time to freshen things up in our events calendar and bring something new to the area. We are thrilled with the success of our first KAPOW! event and already have lots of ideas to make it even bigger and better next year! The support from local businesses has been amazing, with most of the sponsors not only supporting the event financially, but also entering their own corporate teams to take part. A huge thank you goes to all our event supporters, this includes sponsors, volunteers, Cockermouth Rugby Club and of course all the wonderful participants and spectators for joining us and supporting our new event.”

Entertainment on the day included CFM Breakfast Show host Robbie Dee, a superhero-themed warm-up with Mokyfit, and crowds were also treated to appearances from Chewbacca, a Storm Trooper and Wonder Woman from Cumbria Superheroes, also comedy entertainment from Jason the Juggling Jester.