MORE than 1,700 people across Basingstoke united against cancer by taking part in Race for Life.
On Sunday, May 28, the sun shone on the participants of the 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events as they raised £130,000 for life-saving research.
Addressing the crowds at the War Memorial Park, oesophageal cancer survivor, Terry Daly, 61, said: “I’m a survivor of oesophageal cancer and last year my son raced for life in aid of me and I made myself a goal that this year I would race it with him. We are both here today doing it together. Hopefully what we do can help people in the same way that people who’ve gone before, have helped me.”
READ MORE: Hampshire father beats cancer and hopes to complete Basingstoke's Race for Life
Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives. This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants received an exclusive medal to mark the milestone.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Carol Tedridge from Andover was joined by friends Gillian Webb and Elsa Redpath who have been taking part for over 15 years.
Carol said: “I used to walk it as fast as I could talk but now I talk faster than I can walk it, but it doesn’t matter how we get round, as long we do it as it’s all for a good cause. So many more people are surviving cancer these days because of research.”
SEE ALSO: Watch: Cancer Research Race for Life 2023 gets underway in Basingstoke
Now the organisers are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters, and they’re appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.
Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Basingstoke, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Basingstoke.
“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Race for Life Basingstoke was hugely moving - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Funds raised - whether it’s £10 or £100 - will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Chief executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, Andy Curran, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsor of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. This sponsorship will help encourage participation and raise funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”
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