HAWAII will be heading to Herefordshire this weekend with the return of a popular annual event.

Leominster based disability charity ECHO is holding its third annual colour fun-run, titled the ECHO Hawaiian Colourfest, on Saturday, June 8, as part of the Leominster Festival.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Leominster By The Sea”, but ECHO has chosen to have an exotic take on the theme with their Hawaiian-based event.

Videos featuring sponsors of the event, including Brightwells, Specsavers and Cleftbridge Coatings, as well as ECHO chief officer Mike Cook and others, appear to have been filmed on a tropical beach to promote the event, while all runners will be given sunglasses to keep out Hawaiian rays and appropriate tropical regalia.

Starting off in white T shirts, those taking part will run or walk around the accessible route, which starts at the Grange in Leominster, and at regular points will pass through a paint station where they are showered with coloured ‘paint’ (actually 100 per cent flour, which is safe and biodegradable).

The run will be preceded by a warm-up session from the stage with keep-fit professionals plus a DJ and music from Radio ECHO’s learning-disabled presenters.

Mr Cook said: “Over the past three years, ColourFest has become one of the premier events of the Leominster Festival and this year gives everyone the chance to dress up for a day on a tropical beach, become an individual action painting and help raise money for disabled people across Herefordshire.

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"ECHO aims to make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities, help them have choices and become valued members of their communities and this is a fun opportunity to get involved in that work”

The event starts at 10am and there is a choice of a 5km, 2.5 km or 1km accessible route, starting and finishing on the Grange, Leominster, HR6 8NI.

Those taking part are encouraged to raise as much sponsorship as possible to help ECHO continue supporting adults with learning and other disabilities in Herefordshire. This year, ECHO is awarding a special edition T-shirt to any one individual or child who raises £50 or more.

For tickers, visit www.echoherefordshire.org.uk/hawaiian-colourfest/ ring ECHO on 01568 620307 or email echo.info@echoherefordshire.co.uk