The 13th annual Bow Valley High School 'Time For Hope' fundraiser will be infused with colour. 

On Saturday (May 5th) the leadership team will host a 5 km colour run while raising awareness for mental health. 

Kassidy Gerhardi, a leadership student, says besides being sprinkled with colours of the rainbow for every kilometre walked or ran, there will be entertainment afterwards to celebrate. "The race starts and ends at Mitford Pond; our very own deejay, DJ White Light, will be coming to do a colour party at the end to celebrate, there will be door prizes, food trucks...it's going to be a really great day to just hang out."

The Time For Hope fundraiser has hosted a variety events over the years such as gala evenings, good deeds in the community, basketball games and fashion shows but after losing a student of their own in December, the school wanted to create an event that would highlight mental health issues. "We thought this would be a really great way to address the issue. Mental health is an issue that doesn't only affect Bow Valley it is something the entire community can get behind. The whole colour run is just a really fun way to do it and make it a positive initiative; we thought running, getting outside and being social is a great way to address the mental wellness piece."

The promo for the campaign is 'Who Are You Running For?!' it could be yourself, friend, family member or community as a whole. "It is such a trending issue right now and it is all over it is everywhere."

Tara Sly, a teacher at Bow Valley High School shares shining a light on mental health is something important community, province and North America wide. "This allows our students to engage both in the community but also with each other in something that is so fundamentally important to learning and life. I know one of the core objectives of this event is just to come together in and for wellness so that we are engaging the physical aspect but also the social-emotional and connecting with others in the community. Just from the research, I've done in my master's work I know this is so essential for positive personal and mental well being but also just to find personal wellness and then build that out in a ripple effect with others that then becomes mutually reinforcing."

Money from registration will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and area in support of their new teen space which will be a mental health hub. "This is specifically going towards the new youth space, youth and mental health counsellors and all the great stuff will be doing to help with mental health for youth."

So far over 170 runners have registered and Gerhardi is hoping to see many more out there. The race starts at 10 am and will run rain or shine. Looking to save a few dollars?! Register HERE by 11 pm tonight (May 2) or day of between 8 and 9:30 am. If running is not appealing you can walk or bike as well.

If you can't make the run you can also just donate to the cause by emailing the organizers at timeforhopebvhs@gmail.com