Gloria thanks Leigh runners

12:00pm Sunday 7th September 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

TV and radio personality Gloria Hunniford has sent personal and heartfelt thanks to the 1,500 Leigh women who ran the Race for Life 2008 - and have so far raised £71,519 for cancer research.

The brilliant turn out at Pennington Flash in May helped to make the 5k event nationally the second biggest in its 15 year history.

Over 700,000 women came together at events across the UK, all raising money for research into all forms of cancer while remembering loved ones lost to the disease or celebrating those who’ve survived.

Gloria said: “I have been told that thanks to their genuine enthusiasm and emotion, the atmosphere at Pennington was once again truly inspiring. Regardless of their ages or abilities, or how long it took them to get round the course, the common goal was to help beat cancer – a disease that will affect one-in-three people in the UK at some stage in their lives.

“ I feel for them because of my own family’s experience of cancer. It is now four years since I lost my daughter Caron, but even in this short period of time, treatments for cancer have improved so much.

“That’s why Race for Life is so important because the money raised really does make a difference - making sure the brilliant scientists, doctors and nurses at Cancer Research UK can continue their vital research into the prevention, treatment and cure of all types of cancer.

“So far, those taking part in the Leigh event have returned an amazing £71,519 in sponsorship. But I would just like to send a gentle reminder to those who have yet to do so to take that final step and send in their money - helping us reach the Leigh fundraising target of £87,000.”