A UNIQUE celebration of life and hope which took place in Worcester has raised more than £30,000 to go towards helping to beat cancer.

Committee members and teams from the city’s Cancer Research UK Relay For Life gathered at the Alma Tavern, in Droitwich Road, to honour the achievement of raising £30,097.45 at this year’s event.

Hundreds of people took part in the 24-hour event, at the Royal Grammar School, in Grange Lane, Fernhill Heath, which took place between September 7 and 8.

All the teams were also presented with certificates in appreciation of their fund-raising efforts.

Details of next year’s event have been announced, again taking place at RGS, on Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7.

It will have a Common-wealth Games theme to mark Glasgow 2014.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Cancer Research UK doesn’t receive any government funding for its research, so every step the charity makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound and every person.

“People shouldn’t worry if they haven’t fund-raised before. This is a unique event and every single person in Worcester can play a part.”

The relay runs non-stop through the night and teams can consist of between eight and 15 people of all ages and fitness levels, with members taking it in turns to run or walk around the track.

Participants can also raise money through a wide range of activities from karaoke nights to coffee mornings.

For more information about taking part in next year’s event, go to cruk.org/relay or e-mail RelayWorcester-@gmail.com.