Dawn from Rainbow ran for Rainbows

A Leicester actress who starred in the children’s TV show Rainbow has taken on a fundraising event for Rainbows.

Dawn Bowden (62), took on the Oxford Half on Sunday (12 October) and has so far raised just over £600 for our charity.

Dawn was part of the cast of the iconic children’s TV show, Rainbow, between 1990 and 1993. Following on, she has continued to work in the arts and has spent 20 years at Leicester-based theatre company Bamboozle, which works with a lot of families who use or have used our services.

Two years ago, Dawn said she “couldn’t run for a bus” so started Couch to 5k and has been running ever since. Sunday’s event was the longest distance she has ran.

Dawn said: “I have met and worked with many children and families who have been supported by this wonderful charity. Rainbows offers comfort and compassion during tough times, providing the highest level of professional care until the end, and support after.

“Speaking to families I know how vital this wonderful place is and for that reason I decided to get my 62-year-old legs on the road to raise some money.

“The half marathon in Oxford was amazing. I honestly loved every moment of it. The crowds get behind the runners and, for most of the time, I just had a massive smile on my face. The legs afterwards were suffering but it has been worth it for the sense of achievement.”

Dawn also visited our hospice over the summer and said she was blown away by our facilities and the work carried out. “I have always been aware of Rainbows as I live in the area,” said Dawn. “But seeing the hospice was amazing. There were so many things I didn’t even know about Rainbows. The care and services are just so in-depth at the hospice and elsewhere. It made me feel even more motivated.”

Kerry Laurie, Rainbows Community Fundraiser, added: “On behalf of everyone at Rainbows, we would like to thank Dawn for her incredible personal achievement. Our charity needs £8.5m a year to fund the specialist care we give to babies, children and young people from across the East Midlands and we couldn’t do this without the support of our fundraisers.”

To give to Dawn’s challenge, visit Dawn Bowden is fundraising for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People