A RENOWNED fundraiser is taking on a city run in Worcester wearing his own home-made dress.

Colin Burgin-Plews, who is better known for running in a big pink dress, is taking part in the Worcester City 10k on Saturday to raise money for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.

Mr Burgin-Plews, a Pride of Britain nominee from the North East, is taking on the run wearing a huge ladybird themed dress that he made himself.

At well over six feet tall even before he dons his famous dresses, Mr Burgin-Plews stands out from the crowds around him whenever he takes part in a run to support one or more of his chosen charities.

He has become a very visible and popular figure at races in recent years, including the iconic Great North Run and London Marathon.

Mr Burgin-Plews, 51, also known as ‘Big Pink Dress’ makes a special dress and headgear for each event, to represent the main charity that he is supporting during a run, with each costume weighing between two and three stones and taking his height to over seven and a half feet.

In recent years, ‘Big Pink Dress’ has taken part in most of the races organised by Steve Cram and his Events of the North team. When Mr Cram introduced Mr Burgin-Plews to Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust founder Jennifer Kelly, he committed to a trip south for the Air Products Worcester City 10K.

Mr Burgin-Plews said: “I love being part of the Events of the North races.

“Steve and his team always do an amazing job of putting on a brilliant event with a fantastic atmosphere and the Air Products Worcester City Run will be no exception.

“This will be my first trip to Worcester and I’m really excited about it. I’ve heard that it’s a really special occasion and it will be a privilege to wear the ladybird dress that I’m making and support the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.”

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Jennifer Kelly added: “We are delighted to already have a team of almost 40 runners so far, including Colin and Grace’s grandfather, Chris Britt-Compton.

“It will be amazing to see a sea of runners in orange and purple and so many ladybirds out on the route as well.

“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, making it even more special.

“Worcester is Grace’s hometown so it will be so special to see so many people out supporting the charity.

“If you’re there on the day, please do come and say hello to us at our stand and keep an eye out for Colin and all our other ladybirds on route.

“We are so grateful to them all for their amazing support.”

The Grace Kelly Trust was founded by Dr Kelly in memory of her four-year-old daughter Grace and works to raise awareness, fund research into rare cancers of childhood, produce educational material, and provide support to families of children with cancer.

The trust’s symbol is a ladybird, which is the theme of the latest Big Pink Dress creation.

To find out more about the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust and how to support the organisation by taking part in the Air Products Worcester City Runs, visit gkcct.org or email contact@gkcct.org.