A SEA of colour filled Coney Beach in Porthcawl for TY Hafan’s first 5K Rainbow Run on Sunday, April 27.

More than 1,000 participants were showered in pink, yellow, orange and blue powdered paint for the colourful Rainbow Run – the first event of its kind in Wales.

The Rainbow Run, which is based on the Indian Holi festival of colour, is expected to raise more than £50,000 for Ty Hafan, the family hospice for young lives.

Angelo Pucella, from Bridgend, who took part with his son Luca and his wife Beth said: “It has been such a fantastic day. Luca was so excited and he absolutely loved it. It was great to see so many people taking part to raise funds for Ty Hafan.”

Luca, aged 7, is the only person in Wales to suffer from ROHHAD (Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic dysfunction, Hypoventilation and Autonomic Dysregulation) syndrome and was referred to T? Hafan in 2010.

“Ty Hafan has been fantastic and we’re so grateful for their support. I’ll be taking part in T? Hafan’s Three Peaks Challenge next. We try and do everything we can as a family to show our appreciation and give something back to T? Hafan,” said Angelo.

Mair Jeffreys, event organiser at Ty Hafan, said: “The Rainbow Run is about celebration, having fun with friends and raising a smile for T? Hafan. It was wonderful to see so many T? Hafan families, staff and supporters taking part today. Due to the success of the event, we are already planning our next Rainbow Run in west Wales. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, not forgetting our amazing volunteers and sponsors who have made the day possible.”

Each participant received a goody bag on completion, as well as a special certificate as a “thank you” from Ty Hafan.

Ty Hafan, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has supported almost 600 life-limited children, young people and their families since 1999. The charity takes its support right into the family home and is there to help families through every step of their unimaginable journey. For Ty Hafan to offer this unique service completely free of charge to families in Wales, it has to raise almost £3.7 million every year.

To find out how to support T? Hafan, please visit www.tyhafan.org