MORE than a thousand people from across the South Lakes gathered for a special annual event in Kendal.

St John’s Hospice Colour Dash, now running in its fifth year, started at Kirkbie Kendal School with children and families ready to take part in the ‘high-energy’ event.

The route saw 1,200 people ‘dash and colour’ their way along a beautiful path past Kendal Castle and along the canal.

Pupils from Windermere School, Casterton Sedbergh School and Dallam School also took part in the run.

Year 7 pupil from Kirkbie Kendal, Louis Bigland, was the overall winner of the colour dash.

Sara Brown, Community Fundraiser from St John’s Hospice, said the day was one of the biggest events in the South Lakes calendar and that it had been marked as a “true community” event because “everyone pulled together to make it happen”.

“The atmosphere was just incredible with people from Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere, Sedbergh and beyond all coming together to have a fantastic morning and raise money,” she said.

“So many people in this area have been touched by the work of St John’s Hospice for example people whose family members have been cared for at the Hospice or by the Home team who spend a lot of time in the south Lakes caring for patients in their homes.

“I want to say a big thank you to our amazing sponsors and 60 volunteers who made this event possible, without them, and all the fabulous people who took part, the day would not have been possible.”

The event was also supported by the Rotary Club, who helped and acted as marshals.

St John’s Hospice wanted to add that the paint was completely safe, specially bio-degradable and non-toxic.