Local Race for Life raises a record amount
A record £19,000 was raised for Cancer Research UK at the KGV yesterday as about 1,000 islanders ran, jogged and walked the local Race For Life.
Most participants wore the charity’s famous pink tops as they took on either the 3km or 5km course.
First across the finish line, having run the 3km course, were Emma Downs and her daughter Hollie, 8.
They had been running for Hollie’s aunt, who died from cancer a few years ago.
‘I’m so pleased for Hollie. We ran the whole thing and it’s by far the longest distance Hollie has ever run,’ said Mrs Downs.
‘I just think doing something like this is fantastic, and it makes people more aware of cancer, which is the most important thing.’
One of the first 5km course finishers was Vail Ringham, who had been running for his mother.
‘It’s my first time doing this as I used to think the race was just for women,’ he said.
‘I get injured quite easily, but I did two runs last week to prepare and it was really nice to do. It’s a great family event and to see people of all ages taking part is nice.’
Maggie Tostevin was part of a large group of women running for a close friend living with cancer.
‘It’s my fourth time doing this and it always makes me emotional. It makes you realise just how big of a thing cancer is and how many people it touches,’ she said.
Her friend, Natalie Gilman, added that events such as the Race for Life were important because one in two people got cancer in their lives.
‘It could easily be one of us one day. It’s a horrible disease, so any support we can give to charities is the least we can do,’ she said.
Participants set off at 11am, following a warm-up led by dance teacher Rianna Bailey.
‘It was scary but fun,’ said Mrs Bailey.
‘This is my third time leading it and the number of people gets bigger every year, but I’m thrilled to be able to do it as it’s for such a worthy cause.’
Organiser Dani Barnett was delighted with the number of people taking part.
‘In my first year, there were about 200 people and last year there was 740, so to get close to 1,000 this time is amazing and just shows how many people are affected by cancer in some way,’ she said.
She thanked KGV for hosting the event and Bright Electrical for sponsoring it.
