Thousands take part in Wirral's Race For Life (From Wirral Globe)
Send us news by text, start your message Globe News and your send photos and videos to 80360
Thousands take part in Wirral's Race For Life
11:35am Monday 16th July 2012 in News By Craig Manning
Participants warm-up for Sunday's Race For Life. Picture: Paul Heaps
A RIVER of pink flowed through Birkenhead Park on Sunday as almost 4000 women took part in Wirral's Race For Life.
Organisers say the event, which saw 3,900 women take part, has raised £203,300 for Cancer Research UK.
The Globe has been its official newspaper for the last seven years.
Setting the runners on their way was Kate Fletcher from Wallasey, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year.
She has undergone gruelling treatment and faced a full hysterectomy which has left her unable to have children.
Kate took part in Race for Life last year, but had to walk as she had undergone surgery just weeks earlier.
Also among those taking part was Sarah Beckett, 39, from Bidston. The mother-of-three was diagnosed with the debilitating condition ME back in 2002 also suffers with Fibromyalgia, which attacks the central nervous system – but despite these illnesses she completed the 5K race and took a year to train.
Stay-at-home-mum Sarah was inspired to take part in after losing three of her grandparents to cancer.
And, more recently she lost her auntie, Jennifer Brougham, to lung cancer. Jennifer lost her battle against the disease in June 2011.
On taking part in Race For Life Sarah, 39, said: "I have now lost two aunties and three grandparents to cancer – it's a very cruel disease and I wanted to do something to help.
"It was last June that I decided I was going to take part in Race for Life and ever since then I have been in training. I go on my treadmill whenever I can.
"I want to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK and as well as completing the race I am making and selling cakes which will all go towards my fundraising efforts – I am hoping to reach £1,000."
Last year, 4,366 women took part in Race for Life in the Wirral and raised £184,487.
Katherine Culshaw, Race For Life organiser, said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to the women of Wirral for their support for Cancer Research UK.
"We had wonderful sunshines and met some fabulous ladies with inspiring stories.
"Now all we would ask is that people get their sponsorship money in."
