THE thousands of women who took part in Worcester's Race for Life on Sunday are having a well-earned rest this week.

They did a magnificent job.

Young and old pushed themselves to complete the five-kilometre course and in the process raised a quarter of a million pounds for research into women's cancers.

But although they've crossed

the finishing line, they need to summon up the energy for one last burst.

Because now comes the really difficult part - persuading friends, family and colleagues to part with all that cash they pledged for the cause and then sending it off to Cancer Research UK.

Unfortunately, a full third of the participants in last year's event failed to do just that.

What a waste.

These women were supposed to be running for a reason.

But what did those aching

muscles really mean if the cash wasn't collected?

Not only did those women run in vain, but Cancer Research UK lost thousands of pounds it so desperately needed.

Hopefully, this year we can do better.

So come on, ladies. Put your feet up by all means, but remember what you were running for.

Make the effort to tick off all the names on your sponsorship forms and get the money off to where it's needed.

Ultimately, it's your daughters, sisters, mothers and friends who will benefit.