Date published: 30 October 2018 by Anna Jackson

Father and son team successfully completed the Bedford Half Marathon and Mini Mile Fun Run raising £1,400 for Rainbow Trust.

Four-year-old, Colby and his family, first heard about Rainbow Trust when they met Harry on the Isle of Wight, whilst enjoying a weekend exploring the local sights. Harry has Dravet Syndrome, a very rare and severe type of childhood epilepsy, and his family is supported by a Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker.

With the opportunity to raise some money for Rainbow Trust, Colby was super keen to get involved and decided to take on his first running event, the Bedford Mini Mile last month. A one mile course around Bedford’s beautiful Priory Country Park. Colby took part alongside his dad, Dean, who also impressively completed the Bedford Half Marathon on the same day.

Colby has every right to proudly display his medal, having raised an incredible £1,400 with matched funding from his dad’s employer. This will enable Rainbow Trust to provide over 60 hours of practical and emotional support to families just like Harry’s.

Dean, Colby’s dad said,

“Every year I try to take on a challenge to raise money for charity, this year we became aware of Rainbow Trust and felt they would be perfect, especially as Colby was so interested in getting involved with me.

I am overwhelmed with how much we managed to raise and am truly grateful to everyone who donated, Colby definitely helped with the cute factor! Colby has always enjoyed hearing about my running adventures and assisted with warm up stretches, so it was an extremely proud moment to run alongside him in his first ever running event. We also owe a huge thanks to Katie, who as well as being the best mummy ever has supported us through our training, fundraising and on the event day. I hope our efforts go some way to assist and benefit deserving families.”

If you would like to run in Colby and Dean’s footsteps and take on your own challenge, check out our events.