Skip to content

Colourful run of fun returns

The annual Colours4Kids run is back on schedule for this year
11842241_web1_170611-PWN-Colours4Kids-01
NHLer Duncan Keith helped kick off the 2017 Colours4Kids event that raised $15,000. This year’s event is June 10. Western News file photo

Organizers are hoping to hit the 800 mark for this year’s annual running of Colours4Kids on June 10.

“Last year we had over 700 people who attended the run and we raised $15,000 and so this year we’re aiming to get 800 people out and we’d love to raise more money obviously this year,” said Julie Read, manager of people and culture for the Wildstone Group of Companies, who is the title sponsor and organizer of the event. “One hundred per cent of the proceeds go to the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre which is a great local organization that helps local children and impacts lots of families around the Okanagan and Similkameen.

“We really wanted to keep the funds we raised from this event going towards something that is local.”

People can register now online at wildstone.com or in person at the office Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30. The office is located at Suite 1, 1101 Main St.

Registration is $20 per person and participants will receive one colour pack, a t-shirt and sunglasses.

One of the popular attractions last year was Duncan Keith was raised in Penticton and now plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.

Related: Record attendance for Colour4Kids

Keith is also an ongoing supporter of OSNS. His charitable organization, Keith Relief, helped construct a playground at the facility.

He is also a close friend of Wildstone’s Mark Melissen who invited him to come out.

In addition to signing autographs for a good part of the day, the all star defenceman also donated hockey sticks and jerseys for a silent auction.

“It’s just something small I can do for a great cause,” said Keith at the time.

It’s not known at this time whether he will be able to attend this year’s run.

“People love it. They have a great time and it’s for people of all ages, all abilities, so you don’t have to be a runner to be involved because it is just a fun run,” said Read. “You can do two and a half kilometres, five kilometres and it’s just a really good time to get together for a great cause.”

She added about Wildstone’s participation: “We do this as a way to give back to our community we’ve been a local business in Penticton for over 20 years and we love Penticton and we like to be able to support such an important organization in our community.”

11842241_web1_170614-PWN-Clrs4Kids-11
Getting coloured for a good cause was the order of business at last year’s Colours4Kids fundraiser for the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre. This year’s run is June 10. Western News file photo