AN exciting explosion of colour is set to return to Dorset this summer.

Taking place at Upton Country Park in Poole on Sunday, July 2, the Naomi House and Jacksplace Rainbow Run helps raise invaluable funds to help children across Dorset.

The 3km run is a fun run with a colourful twist; runners at the event will be showered with bucket loads of multi-coloured powdered paint as they run or walk their way round the picturesque waterfront route.

In 2015 the charity’s Rainbow Run attracted over 1,500 participants and raised more than £50,000.

Last year the event was replaced with Foam Fest, a giant inflatable obstacle course at Baiter Park.

Naomi House & Jacksplace are the only hospices offering a 24 hour, 365 day a year respite service for Dorset’s life-limited children, young people and their families. The charity cares for Dorset families during emergencies and at the end of a child’s life.

The Rainbow Run is the hospice’s largest event in aid of the Caterpillar Appeal, and fundraisers at the Sutton Scotney charity hope the event will raise more than £30,000 towards the building work.

Paul Morgan, head of fundraising for the hospice, said: “Our last Rainbow Run in Poole was a tremendous success and thousands of fabulous fun runners collectively raised enough money to provide more than 2,500 hours of high quality nursing care to Dorset’s life-limited and life-threatened children.

“We receive superb support from people right across Dorset and our last Rainbow Run was the fastest selling event we have ever staged. We would urge people to sign up soon to secure their place and do their bit to support the region’s most seriously ill children.”

Registration for the event is now open and pre-booked places cost £12 for adults and £8 for children. The event itself will begin at 11am and is open to anyone over the age of 8. Prices will increase from March.

The paint used at the rainbow run is made from a safe and biodegradable potato starch. For more information, and to sign up, visit naomihouse.org.uk/events