NOT even the rain could dampen the spirits of the people who took part in this year’s Relay for Life.

For 24 hours, 19 teams ran, walked, skipped and hopped their way around the track at Nunnery Wood Sports Centre for this year’s event.

The 232 participants raised £63,100 and counting for Cancer Research UK, with top team Pink Panters coming up with £10,849.

Radio Wyvern’s Hursty and Helen opened the event, followed by a five minute zumba dancing warm-up.

Mayor of Worcester Coun Mike Layland officially started the relay at noon on Saturday and walked the opening lap with 44 cancer survivors.

Maureen Mattinson, aged 70, from Stourport-on-Severn, battled breast cancer eight years ago.

She now works on the Relay for Life committee, organising the survivors’ lap.

She said: “I do the relay because it’s something that helps other people. It’s a good weekend, and the money we raise goes to a good cause.

“There’s a great community here. It’s very friendly and everybody gets touched by everyone else’s story.”

Louise Hefti’s daughter Danielle, now aged 10, was diagnosed with Wilm’s tumour – kidney cancer – at the aged of five.

Danielle was the youngest survivor taking part in the opening lap.

Her mum said: “It’s great because of the fact that it’s celebrating survivors. People remember the people who have died, but not all survivors get remembered. They prove it can be beaten.”

The event which finished at noon yesterday, featured teams from across Worcestershire, all in fancy dress.

Costumes ranged from Disco Divas’ 1970s outfits to Shrek and Princess Fiona, and the Ministry of Silly Walks also made an appearance.

Disco Diva Nick Campolucci, 36, from Warndon Villages, was taking part in his second Relay for Life.

Mr Campolucci, whose wife is also on the relay committee, said: “It’s different to Race for Life because there’s a lot more team involvement.

“It’s about friends getting together and doing something good. You dress up and it’s great fun. It gives you an opportunity to go a bit wild for a great cause.”

Organiser Paul Moult said the weekend was a great success. He said: “It’s been absolutely amazing. I think everyone averaged about two hours’ sleep but it’s been wonderful. Even when the rain started and people had been walking for 23 hours, they were just dancing with their umbrellas up!”

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