5,000 runners take part in the Race for Life at Birkenhead Park

Jul 8 2009 by Samantha Parker, Heswall News

FIVE thousand women descended on Birkenhead Park on Sunday to take part in the Race for Life. They all shared a common goal – to have fun and raise money to beat cancer.

Many of the women and children had stories to tell – their memories of loved ones and their own tales of survival.

With the sun beating down the crowd of 5,176 women warmed up for the Nivea-sponsored race to S Club 7’s Reach for the Stars before the run got underway at 11am.

Andy King, whose wife Lisa died from lung cancer in 2007 at the age of 34, started the race with their children Theo, five, and three-year-old Libby.

Mr King, from Wallasey Village, has been instrumental in drumming up support for the event which this year saw its biggest-ever turn out.

Cancer Research UK’s Helen Wright said: “Andy has been brilliant in supporting this event. With his help the Birkenhead Park run is the biggest Merseyside has had so far.

“It was an emotional day today. So many people had stories to tell.

“We are hoping to raise £205,000 and £60m nationwide.

“Events like these are so important to raise money for research to beat cancer.”