VIDEO: More than two thousand people take part in Wirral Race For Life

Organisers say 2,100 put on their running shoes for the event in Birkenhead Park. Last year, 2,680 took part in the Wirral event.

Warming up in Birkenhead Park this morning ahead of Race For Life. Pictures: Craig Manning

And they're off in Birkenhead Park

Setting the runners off on their way today was Natalie Simms Gore (pictured, below).

The mum-of-two from Higher Bebington, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November and has completed her treatment.

Before sounding the starter horn this morning, she raised awareness of the disease before taking part in the run.

The 36-year-old was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after first getting abdominal pains in January.

Initially they were put down to the her body getting back to normal after giving birth to her son, Bradley, six months earlier.

But when they persisted along with severe fatigue and bloating Natalie knew something was not right and she was eventually sent to Arrowe Park Hospital for a scan which showed she had cysts in her womb.

Natalie, who is also mum to Lewis, nine, said: "At that stage they thought they were cysts wrapped around one ovary and I needed them removed.

"I would have liked another baby and the doctors said they'd try to remove the cysts but save my ovaries.

"When I woke up the first question I asked was have I still got an ovary.

"They had managed to save one so there was hope."

Listening to Natalie make her speech

But the results of a biopsy found the cysts were actually tumours and Natalie had to go to Liverpool Women's Hospital for a hysterectomy.

Natalie continued: "When I got the letter hand delivered saying I had to go back to hospital I guessed it must be cancer.

"Explaining I had cancer to my nine-year-old was the hardest part.

"It would have been nice to have the chance to have more children but I'm really thankful for the two I've got and now I just want to put a line under this chapter of my life get better and enjoy being with my children.

"I'm very lucky.

"I want people to raise as much as they can for cancer treatment."

Members of Stockport Relay For Life selling flowers during Birkenhead Park's Race For Life this morning. 

Praising the runners before setting them on their way this morning, Rhian Coathup, Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Wirral event manager told the Globe: "It's always such an amazing atmosphere at Birkenhead Park. 

"We've had a really good turnout; the support from ladies of Wirral is fantastic. 

"All the money raised will go towards finding a cure for all 200 forms of cancer; so it's really important.

"The support we get in Wirral is fantastic, it grows every year."

Also attending today's event was the family of a Wirral fundraiser who died from breast cancer in April, but whose tireless fundraising efforts raised £187,000 for Cancer Research UK over the years.

Bernie Singleton (pictured, below) was a regular face at Race for Life in Birkenhead Park where she always held a collection for the charity and had become affectionately known as "Bernie Bucket".

The 66-year-old, from New Brighton, had raised a phenomenal £187,000 for Cancer Research UK by organising a host of balls, collections and other events.

She was also instrumental in the raising of tens of thousands of pounds for other cancer related charities.

Paying tribute to Bernie, Race For Life's Rhian Coathup said: "Bernie was quite the local celebrity. She was fantastic and we really wanted to pay tribute to her today, because she was such a massive supporter of Race For Life.

"Bernie's family attended today's event, along with a group of 137 runners from Tesco.

"We just wanted to say thank you and remember her."

The Globe has been Race For Life's official newspaper since 2006.

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