A FAMILY who lost their son to a metabolism disorder just before his 10th birthday is encouraging people to sign up to this year’s Rainbow Run.

The event, which will be held for the second year on Sunday, May 24, has been organised by Helen and Douglas House, which cared for Ben Illingworth before he passed away in October 2012.

His twin brother Ollie still visits the hospice, where he has been cared for since 2005.

The Witney boys were both born with the life-shortening condition MPS-Sanfilippo 111A.

The metabolism disorder delays development and causes significant neurological symptoms.

Money raised at the Rainbow Run, which will be held in Cutteslowe Park, will go towards helping children and young adults who have terminal and life limiting illnesses and and are cared for at the East Oxford hospice.

Dad and ‘Team Benji’ captain Mike Illingworth said: “I am really looking forward to taking part in this year’s Rainbow Run.

“We will have so much fun and it’s all in aid of Helen and Douglas House.

“When Ollie visits he really enjoys messy and tactile play as he can’t play with normal toys any more. He’s often covered in a rainbow of colours by the end of his play.

“It’s an amazing place. It puts the emphasis on making the most of life for you as a parent as well as for the child.

“I want to give a little something back through fundraising and promoting awareness of the charity, which is why we are doing the Rainbow Run.

“It will be a great occasion, with lots of madly dressed people having a crazy time getting showered in a kaleidoscope of colours.

“Ollie has been asked to start the whole race off with a large hooter.”

Mr Illingworth will run with his wife Fiona and a group of friends at the event which will see runners, joggers and walkers showered with paint made from biodegradable corn starch at different points along the 3km course.

Helen and Douglas House senior community and activities fundraiser Poppy Hanbury said: “Our Rainbow Run reflects the ethos of Helen and Douglas House.

“It is about having fun and living life to the full. With no winners or official times the run caters for anyone of any age.

“We have great supporters across the whole of Oxfordshire and we can’t wait to see them at this spectacular event.”

The first Rainbow Run was held last year in University Parks and raised more than £30,000. This year the charity hopes to raise close to £50,000 and will be able to cater for up to 1,500 runners, almost three times as many as last year because the new venue can handle more people.

Registration for the run is open and places cost £12 for children aged below 13 and £17.50 for anyone else.

To find out more visit hdh.org.uk