Race for Life Colchester raised £70,000 for Cancer Research

Hundreds dressed in Cancer Research UK shirts and costumes ran the 5k route around the Castle Park slopes for the event, which raised £70,000 for the charity.

Among the runners was 54-year-old Kay Stamp, from Harwich, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and told she may not make it to Christmas.

Cheer- Kay Stamp surrounded by her family at Colchester Race For Life. (Image: Steve Brading)

Her three daughters and her sister decided to do the Race for Life in Chelmsford during her intense chemotherapy.

Kay said: “I vowed to my girls that when I got better - not if - when I got better we would come back and I would run with them.”

She was with her daughters, her granddaughter, and her husband, who dressed in a pink bra and skirt and wore her blonde cancer wig. Her team raised more than £1,700.

“I’ve lost quite a few people to cancer in my life, so I’m running for all those warriors,” she added.

“I’m running for everybody today, including myself.”

Pink- Most of the runners sported pink Cancer Research UK shirts, with some even sporting pink hair. (Image: Steve Brading)

More than 50 staff from Honywood school also raised £5,000 and ran for their friend and colleague Hannah, who is undergoing chemotherapy and is soon to have an operation.

Linda Beaumont also ran for her husband of 54 years Bob, who passed away last year. Surrounded by her Bob the Builder team, Linda said: “I’m on a high and I can’t believe I’m doing this for my husband, but I’m sure he’s looking down with a big smile on his face and cheering us on.”

Erica Rowsell and her sister Claire came from Australia to walk with their 83-year-old mum Liz, who had cancer last year.

Erica said: “She’s done really well, she’s a thriver. We thought this was a perfect thing to do with her.”

Liz, who lives in Maldon, said it was “very special” to have all her family together at once for the first time in six years.

Warm- The pink crowd warmed up together before setting off, with great running weather. (Image: Steve Brading)

Mark Hammond, of Halstead Rocket’s running group, ran for his mum, who was diagnosed with cancer six years ago.

His mum, wife and daughter came to support him as he crossed the finish line.

After he collected his medal, Mark said: “It was really tough, but good fun, I feel good for finishing and got a new personal best.”

The overall top online fundraiser, which raised more than £3,000, was the University of Essex MASR.

Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s biggest event, and since 1994 has seen more than ten million take part.