Sponsored by
Runners in the pink - SLIDESHOW
A sea of pink swept over Herrington Country Park as thousands of women joined the fight against cancer.
The annual Race for Life yesterday saw more than 4,660 women – Cancer Research UK's biggest entry to date – take part in the 5km fund-raiser.
Young and old – including many racing in memory of loved ones they have lost to the disease – pulled on their trainers for the event.
Nicola Taylor, 40, of Washington, took a break from chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in November to join nine of her pals.
She said: "It's a very emotional day for us because not only am I having chemotherapy at the moment, there is a big history of breast cancer in my family.
"Events like this are not only good for raising money, they also raise the profile of the good work that is being done and it is good for morale."
Christine Fletcher, 54, of Southwick, and six of her friends, put their best foot forward in memory of Christine's sister, Sandra, who died of throat cancer almost three years ago, and her friend Julie who died of bone cancer two years ago.
Christine said: "We wanted to run in memory of those we've lost. This is the first time we've done it and the atmosphere is great."
Margaret Swinhoe, 57, of Hylton Castle, and Sandra Gordon, 60, of Red House, also had their own reasons for running.
Margaret said: "I've just been given the all-clear of breast cancer this week after being diagnosed a year ago.
"I also lost a very good friend, John, last year to bowel cancer and my mum was diagnosed a few months after. So we wanted to put something back in. You just don't realise how many people it affects."
A group of women were also walking in memory of 23-year-old Claire Walker-Everett who died of cervical cancer last year and whose fight to get the age of screening reduced made national headlines.
Kirsty Cuthbert, of Hetton, said: "We wanted to do this for Claire. She will never be forgotten."
Christine Davison, 41, of Washington, was remembering her mum, Greta Evans, who died of lung cancer last year.
She said: "My mum would be so proud of me doing this. It's a fun day and all of the money goes to such a worthwhile cause."
Despite battling kidney cancer, Jan Buckley, 54, of High Barnes, completed the course in her wheelchair, helped by her daughter Anna
Deacon and 10 of her friends.
She said: "When you find yourself in the position which I have been in, you just want to give something back."
Kirsty Finch, 21, of Rickleton, was crowned winner on the day, reaching the finish in under 30 minutes.
The race raised more than 170,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Kieran Richardson says there is plenty more to come from James McClean
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
