On Friday 16th May, Rawmarsh Community School exploded with energy and colour as it hosted the annual Rotherham School Games Colour Run in support of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, a wonderful local organisation that offer support to children with life-shortening illnesses and their families. The vibrant event formed part of the borough-wide Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 celebrations, shining a light on youth voice, creativity, and community action.
The morning began with the soft launch of the Children’s Capital of Culture Rotherham Baton Relay – an exciting initiative designed to unite schools across the borough over the summer term. During the Colour Run, the baton was carried continuously around the course throughout both the morning and afternoon sessions, passed proudly from child to child as it began its journey across Rotherham. The morning session saw an energetic wave of KS2 runners take to the colourful course, with most participants being Year 6 pupils celebrating the end of their SATs exams. Spirits were high as the children raced through vibrant clouds of colour in a well-deserved moment of celebration, completing as many laps as possible in their school’s time slot.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to Year 9 girls from secondary schools across Rotherham, who fully embraced the occasion and certainly made the most of the leftover paint! Both primary and secondary events were supported by Places Leisure’s Big Sister initiative who operated multi-sport activities for those with enough energy after the run! The programme, which offers free or low-cost gym memberships to girls aged 9–15, is designed to empower young women through sport, fitness, and wellbeing in a supportive and fun environment.
The event was made even more special by the dedicated team of paint throwers, including Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice staff, members of the WPT Central Team, and a brilliant group of Year 9 Rawmarsh School Sports Leaders, who made sure every runner finished the course with a face full of colour and a heart full of joy.
Hannah Goulding from Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice shared her thanks:
“Everyone at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice would like to say a huge thank you to Wickersley Partnership Trust, the school games team, all the sports leaders and of course, the children who took part in the colour dash. It was such a fun and very colourful day. Every penny raised will help us continue to be there for local children and families who need us.”
Chloe Turton, from the School Games team said;
“We were so pleased to support Bluebell Wood again this year and by increasing the number of places for children and coordinating with many more organisations, we hope that we have lifted the profile of the charity as well as giving the children of Rotherham a fun, exciting way of taking part in physical activity with their friends.”
A big thank you goes to all the organisations who came together to help make such a memorable day for all: Rawmarsh Community School, School Games, CCoC, Places Leisure, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, and of course Bluebell Wood, as well as the 27 primary and secondary schools that took part! Stay tuned to find out the final total raised.
