There were explosions of colour in Ipswich’s Christchurch Park as around 400 people donned their running shoes and volunteered to have powder paint thrown at them – all in a good cause.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

The runners were taking part in the Ipswich Colour Dash to raise vital funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) today. As they made their way around the 5km circuit, they were showered with clouds of powder paint by “colour pirates” stationed at various points. They could choose to walk, run, hop, skip or jump their way around the course – and have a lot of fun – before bursting through the finish line in a cloud of colour.

Helen Chapman, Suffolk fundraising manager for EACH said: “The participants had great fun and we are hoping to raise around £10,000 from the event.

“We also had over 100 volunteers who turned up to help and I would like to extend my thanks to them from EACH.”

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen ChapmanIpswich Christchurch Park EACH Colour Dash. Photo: Helen Chapman (Image: Helen Chapman)