THE widow and daughter of a North-East police hero are to be the official starters of a forest fun run in aid of a hospice.

Kezi Smith and her five-year-old little girl Tilly will be starting the Rainbow Dash for the Butterwick Hospice in Hamsterley Forest on Sunday, June 24.

They are also taking part in the colourful event with friends and family in memory of PC Gavin Smith, who was 34 when he died of cancer last year.

The Rainbow Dash is over a five-kilometre course, with family-friendly obstacles, and competitors get covered in coloured powder along the way.

“Gav” was a member of the Durham Constabulary team who appeared in the television programme Police Interceptors. He was given a guard of honour at his funeral at Durham Cathedral in March 2017.

Kezi, from Bishop Auckland, said she wants to repay the Butterwick for the “fantastic support” the hospice has given her and Tilly since Gav’s death.

“After my husband died, a friend put me in touch with the Butterwick and Tilly ended up with a counsellor from the family support team,” she said.

“At the time, she was really struggling with her emotions and it was a huge source of support to me to understand that children express grief in different ways.”

When Gav became ill, the family initially wanted him to go into a hospice but there wasn’t a place for him at the time, so he died at home.

“In the end that was right for him, but it’s another thing that plays on my mind – that if there had been more funding for the hospice, more places would be available,” said Kezi.

“I know from speaking to the staff how much it costs to run the hospice and I want to do whatever I can to help. Apart from anything else, the activities, like the Rainbow Dash, are just great fun.”

Hamsterley Forest was a place the family loved to visit when Gav was alive and there is a bench in his memory there.

Kezi has already raised money for the Butterwick by completing the Coast To Coast Bike Ride and taking part in a fun day at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club. A Police Interceptors tea at Hardwick Hotel, near Sedgefield, also raised £8,803.

Jo Wallis, head of fundraising and marketing for Butterwick Hospice, said: “We are thrilled that Kezi and Tilly are going to start the Rainbow Dash for us. The obstacles are a new element this year so it’s going to be a fun-packed day.”

The Rainbow Dash takes place between 11am and 3pm and participants can run, jog or stroll. Entry costs £20 for adults and £15 for children aged 6-16. Fives and under are free. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £55, and 15s and under must be accompanied by an adult.

To register, go to www.butterwick.org.uk/events/rainbowdash