A FUNDRAISING champion is challenging the community to get messy for charity as plans continue for this year's colour dash. 

More than 400 people flocked to Barrow Park for last year's event that saw families from across the area get together for a funfair extravaganza. 

Complete with live entertainment, a bungeeball, a car boot sale and its very own kite festival, this weekend is a one-stop shop for family fun with an amazing highlight that will raise much-needed funds for local charities. 

The Colour Dash is undoubtedly the star of the show as running enthusiasts will be caked in colour as they run a 5km course for charity. 

Nat Welham, community champion for Tesco Extra in Barrow, and organiser of the event, said: "It's such a good day. When everyone gets there there's just such a buzz which everyone enjoys.

"We don't often get nice days like this in Barrow, so it's nice to make the most of it."

The weekend has been organised to raise money for five worthy causes: The Birchall Trust, Rainbow House Cumbria, Women's Community Matter, Riding for the Disabled Association Furness Group, and Tesco's charities, the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK.

Last year, the Barrow community raised thousands of pounds for the charities and Mr Welham believes it's important to support our local causes. 

He said: "It's got to be us who do it. At the end of the day we're just helping each other out. If none of us got involved no-one else would help."

The family fun weekend will take place on Saturday and Sunday May 14 and 15 from noon and will provide a whole host and treats and entertainment for all the family. 

However the main event, the Colour Dash, will take place at 11.45am on the Sunday, and promises to be a spectacular occasion that gives back to some of Barrow's most worthy charities. 

Appealing to the kindness of the Barrow public, Mr Welham said: "Barrow has got a very big heart and we do rally together to support local causes."

Anyone interested in taking part can pick up a registration form the Tesco Customer Service helpdesk before May 5. 

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Community champion has high hopes for colourful Barrow fundraiser