Still time to sign up to Southampton's Rainbow Run

Online registration for Naomi House’s Rainbow Run, which takes place on Sunday runs out tonight.

More than 650 people have already signed up for the 3km fun run with a twist – participants will be pelted with powdered paint as they jog, sprint or plod around the city centre course.

But the hospice, based near Winchester, is still hopeful they will attract 1,000 runners and is urging people to sign up before midnight.

Organisers hope the event will raise at least £30,000 towards the hospice’s Caterpillar Appeal to renovate the building and provide more rooms and services for children suffering from life-limiting conditions. Work on the one-year project began earlier this summer but the hospice needs to raise £4m to cover all the costs.

Mark Smith, Naomi House deputy chief executive, is urging locals to sign up to help the hospice achieve its goal.

He said: “We want 1,000 people to sign up for our Rainbow Run. We were very keen to make sure we were behind Southampton’s first Rainbow Run and we would love to make it a permanent fixture.

“We also have party packs which people can use to organise parties and then donate the proceeds to us. We need to keep the momentum going as we have to raise £4m for the Caterpillar Appeal alone but we cannot forget we also rely upon donations to provide care that is already ongoing.

The sponsors will also have a crucial part to play on the day as they will be the ones throwing the paint – including Daily Echo editor-in-chief Ian Murray, who will be assisted by three-year-old Tarun Chung who stays at the hospice near Winchester for respite care.

Don’t worry too much if you miss tonight’s deadline though – you can still sign up on the day at Southampton Guildhall. The race will start at 11am.

Anyone coming along to throw paint must use the official powdered paint provided by the charity on the day.

Entry is £12 for adults and £8 for children. Sign up at naomihouse.org.uk /events/showevent/rainbow-run.