Hundreds of people took part in a gruelling colour obstacle course in Amersham last weekend to raise money for charity.

Almost 450 people flocked to the Penn House Estate, in Penn Street, on Sunday, September 24, to take part in Colour Blast: The Scramble, in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

Competitors of all ages tackled a challenging 5k route with obstacles up to four metres high, and a more family-friendly 1k race complete with child-sized obstacles.

Both routes came with the guarantee that participants would be covered head to toe in a rainbow of brightly coloured powder paint as they collected their medals at the finish line.

As registration opened, scores of adults and children lined up to collect their race number, Rennie Grove T-shirt and coloured sunglasses, with many dressing up with pink feather boas, tutus or extravagant face paint designs.

Brother and sister duo Leon and Zoe Byard, from Beaconsfield, took on the 1k challenge in memory of their dad, Terry, who was cared for by the charity’s nurses.

They were joined by Leon’s wife, Claire, and children Georgia, 15, Jack, 9 and Eva, 5.  Zoe said; “It’s great to be able to do this one together as a family and we’re all really looking forward to it.”

The Morton family from High Wycombe came with some extra colour of their own as the boys Mateo, seven, and twins Leon and Marcos, four, sported faces painted like colourful robots. 

Mum Reyes, said: “My mum passed away recently and although she didn’t need hospice care, it is so good to know that organisations like Rennie Grove are there if they are needed.  It’s an amazing cause.”

The 1k race kicked off with an energetic warm up. Families, friends and colleagues of all ages set off into a cloud of pink powder paint before clambering over hay bales, wriggling through scramble nets and dangling across monkey bars designed specifically for children.

Among those braving the 5k obstacle route were a five-strong team of friends and colleagues from Little Chalfont doctors’ surgery, who came together under the team name of 'Who cares wins' to take part. 

Jeanette McGloin, Jo Nagle, Sara Basouffiane, Sue Hughes and Jo McEvoy wanted to take part as they deal with Rennie Grove through their work as nurses or reception staff at the surgery, and some of the group also have personal connections as the charity has cared for family members.

Friends Matt Holder and John Marshall from Beaconsfield, also took part in the 5k challenge.

They said: “It was gruelling with trails, mud and high walls as well as the coloured powder. It was definitely a challenge but it was great fun and we will be back to do it again.”

Rennie Grove’s director of fundraising and marketing, Gillian Barnett, said: “It’s always great to see so many people coming together to support Rennie Grove and also to see them enjoying the day.

“We are hoping [the] event will raise in the region of £20,000, which will go towards providing 24/7 responsive care and support to local adults and children diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illness.”