THIS year's colour run in aid of St Rocco's Hospice will be a bright but bittersweet event for Ellyse Shepherd.

The 20-year-old is set to race around Walton Gardens alongside her boyfriend, Callum, in memory of her mum who died last August.

Ellyse from Stockton Heath will be joined by her boyfriend's family and friends as she tries to raise as much money as possible for the hospice where she said goodbye to her mum Julie.

She said: “In mum’s final weeks St Rocco’s was a place where she felt comfortable, a place where she was always treated with the upmost dignity and her wishes were always respected.

"It provided a place for me to sleep when I couldn't leave her and a beautiful space for us to spend our final times together, creating very special memories that I can treasure forever.”

Ellyse said the Lockton Lane centre became like a second home where she could reminisce with Julie about her childhood and happy times they had spent together.

She added: "My mum was welcomed into St Rocco's Hospice in August of last year. For many people when they hear the word hospice it conjures up a rather gloomy image, but what we experienced couldn't be further from that.

"St Rocco's offered my mum a wonderful place full of life, laughter and endless cups of tea and plenty of cake.

"The fabulous nurses, carers and volunteers became friends who were always there to lend an ear."

Now she wants to support the centre so other families can make the most of the remaining time they have together.

“I hope by doing this run and raising as much money as we can that it will go some way to show how truly grateful we are for all St Rocco’s does.

“The care they give is truly is second to none. I will be forever grateful to them for everything they did for my beautiful mum.”

Sign up for the colour run, which takes place at 3pm on August 28, at stroccos.org.uk/events/st-roccos-colour-run.

Sponsor Ellyse at justgiving.com/fundraising/ellyse-shepherd.