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WOMEN dressed up in pink wigs, T-shirts and tutus to run the annual Race for Life yesterday.

More than 3,230 women came together for the fun-packed 5K race from Worcester Racecourse to Angel Place.

Organisers hope the event will raise about £199,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Many runners attached messages of support to their T-shirts naming the loved ones they were running for or to remember.

Among those taking part were Yvonne Carter, Christine Twyford, Amy Carter, Michelle Evans, Joyce Watkins, Helen Webb and five-year-old Jacob Webb, of Holt Heath and Droitwich.

They had dressed up as ladybirds and bees for the event. Mrs Webb said: “I lost my mother-in-law and we are doing it for her.”

Christine Twyford said: “I lost my Mum to cancer just over two years ago so we wanted to do something different.”

Also taking part was the Worcester Busters dragon boat team including Sue Shackleton, Bev Brocklehurst, Christine Cottam, Maggie Inglis, Helen Cleaver and Kate Henderson.

The team is mostly made up of cancer sufferers and survivors who exercise and socialise together.

Ms Shackleton, who suffered from cancer in 2004, said: “We are interested in anything to do with cancer research and these good causes.”

Claire Hartwell, of Copcut, Droitwich, was running with daughter Amy, aged eight, and aunt Debbie Bowen for Claire’s five-year-old son Charlie, who is currently being treated for leukaemia.

She said: “He has spent eight weeks in Birmingham Children’s Hospital but he’s doing really well.

“He’s coping with the chemotherapy well.

“I’m very proud. I’m here because I want to raise money.”

A team of 12 pupils from Westacre Middle School in Droitwich took part after training at school.

Georgia Appleton, aged 11, said: “The school provide a running club for us and we did six weeks of running training.

Amy Rogers, also 11, added: “We really enjoyed it.”

Anne Gibbs and daughter Georgina Gibbs, aged 15, were running with a team of 10 from Droitwich vets MacArthur Barstow and Gibbs, and hoped to raise £1,500 between them.

Mrs Gibbs said: “It’s fantastic, really wonderful.

“I can’t believe how many people are here.”

Organiser Kelly Rumble said: “Thanks to all the ladies who took part and all the volunteers that helped with the event.”

She urged all runners to collect and send in their sponsorship money as quickly as possible.

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