A VIRTUAL version of a colourful, annual, charity running event held in Staffordshire, aims to encourage people from across the UK, and help the charity to celebrate its 20th Anniversary.

Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to?disabled children and their families, launched Colour Runner in 2015.

Now in its sixth year the 5km, or 2km family fun run will take place in Central Forest Park in Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday, April, 4.

Colour Runner sees participants blasted with dry, corn based paints as they make their way around the course.

“This is a wonderful way of extending the run across the UK,” explained Kate Sherwin from Caudwell Children.

“We know that there are thousands of people in villages and towns up and down the country who can’t get to Stoke-on-Trent because it’s too far to travel, or perhaps they’re involved in a family event.

“Our new virtual run will allow participants to get involved at a time and place that is suitable for them, allowing virtual runners to enjoy all the multi-coloured fun of Colour Runner.

“Once participants have registered for the run they will be sent two packs of paint together with their official running number.

“They then have a month, from the date of the actual run, to provide evidence that they have completed their Virtual Colour Runner.

“Once we have received a picture, or film footage from their phone, showing them in their running kit covered in paint, along with a screenshot of their route, we’ll send them their unique Colour Runner 2020 medal,”

Kate continued: “Colour Runner is built around having fun rather than breaking record times.

“Times aren’t recorded and people can run, walk, or skip around their 5km or 2km course at a pace suitable for them.

“It’s designed with the idea that those with wheelchairs, pushchairs or dogs can get involved so it’s suitable for the whole family.”

Entry to the Virtual 5km and 2km run or walk is £15 per person.

The charity is asking those who register for the event to set themselves a £50 fundraising target.

Caudwell Children will provide each runner with a fundraising pack, containing an A-Z of fundraising ideas, to help them smash their target.

For further information and to register for the event visit the web page: https://bit.ly/2IGJh1x or call 01782 433755.