A TEAM of volunteers ran through an explosion of colour in aid of dementia services in Inverclyde.

Alzheimer Scotland’s Inverclyde branch had five runners taking part in the Colour Me Rad 5k.

Susan Chandler led from the front as the team were bombed with bright powder on every leg of the race round Glasgow.

By the time they reached the finish line they were sporting every colour in the rainbow, as well as championing a great cause.

Susan, who works as a post diagnostic link worker with the Inverclyde health and social care team, has her own experience of dementia in her family.

She said: “Both my parents passed away a few years ago but the memories of what they had to overcome as mum’s illness progressed are still very vivid.

“There were good times and there were difficult times for all the family.

“So when I run or cycle I am also doing it to honour their memory and celebrate their life together.

“I have worked for Alzheimer Scotland in Inverclyde for over three years now. I understand how important it is for people with dementia, their families and friends to have someone they can contact when they need information, advice and support.

“It is so important to us that Inverclyde has a full time dementia advisor so we have decided to fundraise for our Inverclyde services.” The team took part in the Colour Me Rad race to raise money for the vital Inverclyde dementia advisor post currently filled by Tracy Gilmour.

It is a job that is entirely funded by donations and vital for families coping with dementia.

The runners managed to raise £850 as well as increasing the profile of dementia in Inverclyde.

Team member Isabel Kerr said: “People living with dementia matter, and taking part in the run has helped raise awareness among my friends and family”.

As well as Susan and Isabel, the other members of the team were Michael Hendry, an Alzheimer Scotland support worker, his sister Jennifer Hendry and mum Margaret Bissell. It caps a hugely successful couple of months for Inverclyde’s Action on Dementia team, which is based in Nicol Street, Greenock.

They recently ran an awareness week that helped hundreds of people find out more about dementia.