CAN you help the Daily Echo paint the town red?

Hampshire children’s hospice Naomi House is organising a Rainbow Run in the autumn to raise money for its £4million Caterpillar Appeal to refurbish its building.

It is a three-kilometre race with a difference as runners will be painted with powdered paint as they zoom through the streets of Southampton.

The Daily Echo has teamed up with the hospice to support the event, with around 150 volunteers still needed to help on the day.

The charity, based near Winchester, needs people to man registration booths and merchandise stalls as well as man the route and ensuring paint stations are well stocked.

Paul Morgan, fundraising manager, said: “The team at Naomi House and Jacksplace children’s hospice are delighted to bring Rainbow Run to Southampton this September. Rainbow Runs are a really safe, fun and inclusive ways for people to show their support for our local children’s hospice.

“We’re hoping over 1,000 people will take part in the Rainbow Run, so need to make sure that we have enough volunteers available on the day to help guide, inform and maybe even throw some of the powdered paint on our runners.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation and we hope that over 150 people or more will sign up to help us ensure that Rainbow Run is the most colourful demonstration of this community’s support for Naomi House and children and young adults with life limiting conditions.”

The Caterpillar Appeal is raising funds to build bigger bedrooms, better communal spaces and a new bereavement suite.

The Rainbow Run takes place on September 7 and to volunteer call 01962 760060 or email SupporterTeam@naomihouse.org.uk.

To sign up to take part, log on to caterpillarappeal.org.uk.