STROLLING along Southend seafront with thousands of other walkers in brightly coloured costumes has become an annual celebration of giving to worthy causes.

The popular sunlight and moonlight Colourthon walks have, over the past five years, raised more than £500,000 for 238 national and local charities.

The events, organised by Southend Round Table and supported by the Echo, consist of the Moonlight Colourthon, an atmospheric night time walk, 13.1 miles long, and the Sunlight Colour-thon, which is held during the day and is aimed at young children.

Maths whizz Rachel Riley, of Channel 4’s Countdown, will lead the moonlit event for the second year running on July 5, supporting her mum Celia’s chosen charity, Peaceful Place, a centre for people with early onset dementia.

Miss Riley, 25, from Thorpe Bay, said: “The great thing about this event is you are walking with hundreds of other people and the atmosphere is just brilliant.

“I hate running, but this is my kind of event because you can just walk and talk to all the people who are taking part.

“Last year people came out of their houses to cheer us on, which was lovely.

“Charities are finding it hard at the moment to get funding, so this event is really important.

“Walking along the seafront you can see how beautiful Southend is and you forget that when you live here.”

Dedicated walker Maureen Green, 57, complete with pink wig, has been taking part in the event since it began, and enjoys the spirit of the day.

Mrs Green, of Kendal Way, Eastwood, said: “I had always wanted to give it a go and I really enjoy walking so I thought it would be a good idea.

“The atmosphere is incredible and everyone is dressed up, so it is really colourful.

For the first three years Mrs Green raised money for Little Havens Children’s Hospice, in Thundersley, but she then supported the Chris Yates Spinal Cord Injury Trust after a friend’s child suffered a spinal injury three years ago.

She is hoping to smash her fundraising target of £500 and complete the course in her best ever time She added: “It is such a worthwhile thing to do and the fact that you can do it for any charity is even better.”

Charity organisations across the town have benefited from a share of the money raised and, along with the organisers, are urging more people to take part.

Dementia charity Peaceful Place will use its share of the money raised from the event to help pay the day-to-day costs of running a day centre in Rochford, as well as putting some towards building two assisted care homes in Hockley.

Southend Mind, a mental health charity needs to raise £150,000 to cover a shortfall in external funding as well as to help with the running costs.

Barbara Warner, head of fundraising, said: “This event gives small charities an opportunity to raise money and is so well organised by the Round Table, which makes it successful every year.

“It is so nice to see everybody coming together, because there are so many good causes out there.”

Organiser Julian Hart summed up the continued importance of the Colourthon, saying: “Charities need opportunities to get in front of the public to raise money so they can continue with their vital work in the community.

“The Colourthon, is one of very few large-scale events that can provide any charity with a fantastic opportunity to raise a lot of money from just one night.”

To register for the event, visit www.moonlightcolourthon.co.uk