Almost 2,000 in the pink at Race for Life at Staffordshire County Showground
Staffordshire County Showground was awash with pink as almost 2,000 women and children joined together for Race for Life.
It was a balmy evening for them all as they limbered up at the starting line at the Stafford venue.
They walked, jogged and sprinted the 5k route round the site last night and there were hundreds of supporters there to cheer them on.
It was an emotional occasion for 25-year-old Charlotte Crellin, a student from Stafford. She walked the route with her dog Leo in support of her father James who was diagnosed with lung cancer before Christmas at the age of 66.
She said: "As soon as I heard about the event I signed up for it. They've stopped treatment and my dad's cancer has spread to his brain.
"I wanted to do this for him and to raise money for a good cause."
First to cross the finish line was Steph Clayton from Penkridge.
It was the third time the 35-year-old Stafford Harriers runner had taken part in Race for Life.
She managed to raise around £70 for charity.
She said: "I've not been directly affected by cancer but I love taking part in Race for Life. The atmosphere is brilliant." The race was started by brave youngster Orla Fielder, aged 11 and from Castlefields, who is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She was there with her mother Becky, who added: "Orla has been looking forward to the race for quite some time.
"She had chemotherapy just a few days ago but was still determined to do it."
Instructors from the Stafford Zumbabes held a warm-up at the start of the race to get everyone ready.
Cancer Research UK spokeswoman Paula Young said 1,950 people took part and the charity was hoping to raise a total of £98,000 through sponsorship at the Stafford event.
