The chairman of Uttlesford District Council Councillor Stephanie Harris and her team have raised £1,500 for Cancer Research after they joined thousands of women on Sunday July 12, Cancer Research’s Race for Life.

They took part in the event at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, the friends entered together as Team Rose in memory of Cllr Harris’s mum.

She said: “I lost my mum to bowel cancer in November and I really wanted to do something in her memory and which would raise some money to help prevent and treat this disease.

Cllr Harris chose Cancer Research as one of her two charities to support during her year in office.

She added; “It was an emotional day, but there was also a real sense of collectiveness. I was delighted to be joined by many wonderful friends, who have all been touched by cancer in some way and many of whom have lost their loved ones.”

Almost 4,000 women of all ages – and all wearing pink – ran, jogged or walked around a 5km or 10km course. The organisers hope the event will generate almost £300,000 to go towards funding for research, treatment and diagnosis.

Cllr Harris, who will also be raising money for the Down’s Syndrome Association over the year, said: “People have been incredibly generous in their support and I cannot thank them enough.

“Cancer Research is how we are going to find a cure for cancer, so I am pleased to do anything I can to support the cause.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. It has been running across the country for 20 years and in that time more than seven million women have taken part.

See: https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org