THERE were celebrations as the West Somerset College, Minehead, smashed its £6,000 fund-raising target by more than £3,000 with a ‘Dash for Macmillan Colour Run’ involving students, families, staff, and supporters being showered with bright powder paint to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The rumbustious run through the college grounds helped raise £7,608 (£9.045 with Gift Aid).

Participants ran or walked through paint stations and emerged covered in all colours of the rainbow after what the organisers described as a ‘vibrant and energetic event and a joyful memorable experience’.

A college spokesperson said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity close to the hearts of many in the college and wider community.

“As the number of people affected by cancer continues to grow, Macmillan provides vital medical, emotional, and practical support to ensure nobody faces cancer alone.

“This event is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving something back.

“Every donation, no matter how small, will help Macmillan continue their incredible work.

“West Somerset College is proud to have hosted the colour run which raised money for a charity which means a great deal to many in our community.”

Deputy headteacher Emily Ward said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to our families, staff, and local supporters who have come together to make this event such an overwhelming success.

“Surpassing our target shows the strength, compassion, and determination of our community.

“The college also extends its thanks to the hundreds of individual supporters, over 500 donors, who contributed through participant fund-raising pages linked to the main campaign.”

Macmillan Cancer Support was founded in Somerset in 1911 by Douglas Macmillan after his father’s death from the disease.

The charity has supported more than 2.4 million people affected by cancer and needs to raise £240 million a year to fund its services.