ORGANISERS were blown away at the response to the Colour Me Crazy fun run and walk on Sunday, with almost 1000 people taking part.
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The event was a fundraiser for the Griffith Suicide and Prevention Group, Robin Mataora, who is battling leukaemia and the Hanwood Rural Fire Brigade.
Organiser Michelle Parr said the response exceeded all expectations.
“We had 920 entries beforehand and we’ve just been bombarded today,” Mrs Parr said.
“I’m very passionate about suicide prevention.
“Last year I held a fundraiser – a talent quest – and this year I wanted to do something different.
“I have three girls and they love colour runs so I said ‘let’s do one here’.”
Nathan Thomas addressed the crowd at the Griffith Golf Club after the event, thanking participants for their efforts.
“I’d also like to thank the organisers – they’ve donated their time, they’ve donated plenty of effort and energy and they’ve put all this together.
Chris McGregor and Darrell Wallace joined Mrs Parr to organise the inaugural event.
“Thankyou to everyone for coming,” Mr McGregor said.
“It’s been a fantastic day.
“Thank you very much to all our sponsors – we couldn’t do this without you.
“Michelle for the last six to eight months has put in 30, 40 and the last couple of weeks 120 hours a week into this.”
Val Woodland from the Griffith Suicide and Prevention Group thanked everyone for supporting the day.
“I’d like to thank Michelle and her team for choosing our charity and I’d like to thank all the people who turned up to support it,” Ms Woodland said.
“We’re a very small group of people who man a telephone service 24 hours a day and every dollar that’s raised goes to paying out telephone account.”
She said this was the charity’s only expense, apart from training volunteers.
“Suicide is something which touches us all,” she said.
“It’s a very traumatic experience but we hope to be able to help people avoid getting to the position of feeling like they have no where to turn.”
After the last participant crossed the finish line, drenched in all colours of the rainbow, Daizy Chain entertained the crowd.
There was plenty of activities for the whole family, with a jumping castle for children.