Together, we’re making every moment matter.
Birmingham Hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people living with a terminal illness.
At our hospice sites in Selly Park and Erdington, and in the community, care can include 24-hour care in our Inpatient Units, support at home, day services, counselling, wellbeing, pharmacy and therapies.
By signing up to Rainbow Rush and fundraising for us, you will directly support people like Joe and his family.
Joe’s story
Joe Caswell took part in Rainbow Rush with colleagues from his workplace Ishida, in memory of his father, grandmother and mother-in-law.
The team signed up as part of their annual charity initiative, with colleagues travelling from across the UK and as far as Germany, Poland and Dubai to take part – making it a truly international effort.
Joe explained: “We all enjoyed Rainbow Rush so much, it was fantastic to get together and involve our families too. The event was so well organised and brilliant for the children – they loved being sprayed with colour around the course! We managed to raise over £1,300 for Birmingham Hospice at the same time.”
Joe has deeply personal reasons for taking part. His partner lost her mum at just nine years old, and she was cared for by the hospice. Then in 2014, both Joe’s dad and grandmother were admitted to the Selly Park Inpatient Unit at the same time.
“It was a terrible time,” Joe said. “My dad was diagnosed with cancer in February 2014, then my nan months later. Within six weeks, my mum lost both her mother and her husband. Dad was only 47.”
Throughout that unimaginable period, the hospice team went above and beyond to support Joe and his family.
“They were amazing – so caring and compassionate. They understood how young we were and how difficult it was.”
Since then, Joe and his family have made it their mission to give back to the hospice that cared for them and their loved ones.
“For us, taking on a Birmingham Hospice event wasn’t just about running a race,” Joe said. “It was about celebrating life, remembering loved ones, and supporting a cause that means the world to so many of us.”
Don’t just take our word for it!
Rainbow Rush is the most colourful fun run in Brum – find out why our supporters love it.
“When I saw the Rainbow Rush event, I just knew it was for us and I could bring the children to do it with me as they want to be involved for their Grandad in something exciting, positive and fun. Rainbow Rush was emotional, fun and inclusive.”
Emma Deakin
“The Rainbow Rush was a great event with a real carnival atmosphere. It felt like a day out rather than a fundraising event. It was also a chance to get some of the family together to do something in Dad's memory that also benefits other people at the hospice.”
Rachel Hands
