AFTER the success of Race for Life, participants have been urged to cough up the cash after nearly a third of last year's runners failed to hand in their sponsorship money.

If each of the 1,500 women who failed to contribute last year had managed to raise the average £60 usually collected, then Cancer Research UK would have got a staggering extra £90,000. Sunday's event was a huge success, with 5,000 women and girls pounding across Worcester Racecourse and the city streets cheered on by thousands of supporters.

Race for Life director, Jo Symington, urged women to finish the fund-raising finishing line by handing in their money. She insisted that every pound could make a difference and help to cure cancer faster.

"While we are proud of the achievement in 2004, there are still too many women taking part in Race for Life and not raising any money," she said.

"Last year, one in every three participants did not send in any sponsorship money."

More than £80,000 has already been pledged through the website, but with a fund-raising target of £265,000 towards a UK goal of £24 million, there is a long way to go.

Organiser Clare Hartley said the charity thinks that many people enter because it is so much fun but then do not continue the leg-work and ask people for their sponsorship money.

"This year's Race for Life in Worcester was a huge success in terms of the enthusiasm and enjoyment of all those who were involved.

"Now we need to ask every woman who took part to ensure that it is also a success in terms of fund-raising.

"No one need worry that their contribution is too small or that it is too late to send in, as every pound helps."

For example, if 10 women raised £100 each, this could pay for a woman to take part in a major breast cancer prevention trial.

For more information visit www.raceforlife.org or call 08705 134314.