Thousands Race for Life at Himley Hall

For many taking part it proved an emotional day as they remembered loved ones during the day in the picturesque surrounds.

But everyone came together to show their fighting spirit - all while donning pink and fancy dress outfits to make the day go with a bang.

Organisers were hoping to raise thousands to help the battle against cancer from the event taking place yesterday.

Many took part in an energetic warm up in the shadow of the manor house before two scheduled races during the day.

And then it was best foot forward as they stride out through the park and the along the waterside of the pool.

Collette O'Toole, aged 51, brought a several family members including her sister Roseleen Sadler, 43, and 26-year-old daughter Katie from Tipton to take part.

They were remembering her parents Sheila who died two years ago aged 74 after suffering bile duct cancer.

Just 12 weeks later her husband and their father Patrick, 79, also passed away from cancer.

"It was an emotional day for everyone," she said. "But we got all the family together to keep each other going."

Mother-of-three Nins Gill, 37, left her sons at home to join sister Dav Dhami and her children Syah, 11, and 15-year-old Tia for the Race for Life event.

Mrs Gill, of Black Lake, West Bromwich, was doing the race in memory of her mother Rajinder Bindra who died 17 years ago aged just 53 of cancer of the oesophagus.

"It was a fun day," she said. "It was good to see everyone coming together to help people with cancer."

Natalie Eustace, aged 37, took part with her friend Sam Priest and their daughters, Annalise, 11, and Alicia, 10, on the day.

Mrs Eustace, of Hednesford Road, Heath Hayes, Cannock, said the Himley event was their third on the row having previously ran in Walsall and Telford.

And the group always chose a fancy dress theme, this year picking St Trinian's outsides complete with hockey sticks.

They proved useful for Sam who had to hobble around the course after sustaining a foot injury.

But the group were undeterred and were determined to complete the course to help raise more than £150.

It had taken on special significance for Mrs Eutace's family as her father Keith, 77, had recently received news he was clear of bowel cancer which had been treated for since last September.