MORE than 4000 women took part Wirral's 17th Race For Life on Sunday.

Prenton Nurse Debbie Taaffe sounded the starting horn to set the 4,434 participants off on their 5km trek around Birkenhead Park.

Its organisers hope the Globe-backed event will raise £224,000 for Cancer Research UK. So far, the charity has received £39,000 in sponsor money from participants.

Last year, 3914 women took part in the Wirral event and raised £148,362.

Helen Wright, from Cancer Research UK, said: "It went really well. The rain held off and everyone seemed to enjoy thesmelves.

"There was also a lot of support from volunteers and spectators too.

"We also raised £1000 from post race events including massages and flower sales.

"We would urge paricipants to send in the sponsorship money soon, so the charity can continue to fund its research.

"The worrying thing is that one in three people never give in their sponsor money, so we hope to reverse that trend.”

Among those taking part was a 100-strong team of staff, pupils and parents from Upton Hall School and the relatives of Wirral grandmother Wendy Laws, who lost a brave battle with ovarian cancer.

Also taking part was Wirral council fitness instructor Alex McCrudden and her team of 30 women aged 18 to 60.

The group raised £2000 for the charity and intend to continue enter events similar to this to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.

Alex said: "It was a fantastic day, the atmosphere was second to none and we all loved every moment of it.

"Every single one has been affected in some way by the illness and feel very passionately about it."

To hand in your Race For Life sponsor money, visit the website in 'related links' section below this article.