Kempsey's Festival of Health was bursting with colour
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2024
On Thursday, 14th November, the Eden and Verge Street Complex in Kempsey became a vibrant hub of colour and community spirit as it hosted the much-anticipated Healthy Harold’s Kempsey Colour Run. Over 250 people from the local community joined us for a fun-filled and colourful afternoon!
This free, family-friendly event featured a lively Colour Run with Healthy Harold himself, along with interactive booths from local organisations, all dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing in the region. Created in consultation with the Kempsey community, the festival celebrated mental and physical wellbeing, sparking conversations about health and inspiring positive outcomes. Attendees of all ages enjoyed running, walking, or dancing through clouds of coloured chalk powder, followed by a complimentary BBQ and exciting giveaways from local organisations.
The Colour Run was the cornerstone of the Healthy Harold’s Kempsey Festival of Health, which ran from 4th to 15th November and reached over 2,000 children and young people in local schools and early learning centres. The festival offered Life Ed’s impactful programs on health, safety, and wellbeing, further strengthening the festival’s connection to the community.
The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kempsey Shire Council, Headspace, YP Space MNC, Pathfinders, the Mid North Coast Local Health District, Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation, Uniting, Lions Club Kempsey, and Community Housing Ltd.
YP Space MNC provided valuable information about their programs supporting youth who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and even had a free popcorn machine for attendees. Pathfinders offered a free airbrush tattoo studio and shared details about their initiatives to improve the lives of children, youth, and families. Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation commemorated the 100th anniversary of the home’s opening by offering storytelling activities that honoured its history and impact. Uniting promoted emotional wellbeing with activities and provided resources about their programs supporting families, women, and children who have experienced domestic violence.
The Lions Club of Kempsey served a complimentary BBQ, ensuring everyone could enjoy a free meal together, while Tidda Time, supported by Community Housing Ltd, ran a fun hairspray stall. Headspace shared information about their local mental health services, and the Mid North Coast Local Health District Oral Health team distributed free dental kits and valuable oral health information.
Overall, the event was a tremendous success, bringing the community together to celebrate health and wellbeing in a fun and engaging way. Healthy Harold’s Colour Run was a fantastic reflection of the spirit of Kempsey, and we are grateful for the support of everyone involved. Thank you to all the attendees, volunteers, and organisations that helped make this event a memorable one.
