THOUSANDS of woman put their best foot forward in Race for

Life.

Cheltenham racecourse was a sea of pink as nearly 4,000

women and girls from across Gloucestershire tackled the 5km

Race for Life course to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

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And one woman got a head-start, setting off at 8am.

Anna Davies was allowed to walk the course with her chocolate

Labrador Wispa, who saved her life.

Anna, 38, only discovered the lump in her breast when

two-year old Wispa jumped up on her and Anna felt some

tenderness where he had touched her.

The mother of two from Teddington said: “It's not something

they normally do. It's a one-off.

“I made a conscious effort I was going to do it. I've done

the Race for Life before but I never thought I'd be doing it

for myself.”

Since being diagnosed Anna has undergone chemotherapy and

radiotherapy and will be finishing a course of herceptin this

month.

Another inspiring figure was seven-year-old Megan

Lambert.

The youngster who has recovered from neuroblastoma after a

year's course of chemotherapy proudly led the race off.

The Severnbanks Primary School pupil who was diagnosed with

her illness as an 18-month-old said: “It's lovely to be well

again.”

Her mum Nicola, 39, added: “Doing Race for Life is Megan's

special day. This is the second year she has taken part. We

will walk because Megan likes to take her time and talk to

people.”

Nurses from Cheltenham General Hospital's Dixton Ward ran

together for personal and professional reasons.

Lynn Sibley, 60, a retired nurse who lives in Toddington and

her daughter Ann Newman, 32, who works at the hospital were

running in memory of Lynn's mother, and her in laws, all of

whom died from cancer.

Ann's colleagues Nicole Harriott, 21, from Bishop's Cleeve,

and Traci Stacey, 44, who lives in Tewkesbury, were running for

two of Nicole's uncles, being treated for cancer and Traci's

mother, cousins and three friends who died from the

disease.

Ann said: “As nurses we also see cancer patients at work and

we know how difficult it can be, so if we can help prevent more

deaths that's great.”

Inspiring the runners and walkers was TV presenter Sarah

Greene .

She said: “I'm a walker, but I know to do it in wellies and

bare legs. When I fell out of the sky 20 years ago I was

wonderfully looked after at Cheltenham General.

“When Race for Life started in 1994 the survival rate for

breast cancer was 50 per cent. Now it's 80 per cent. Do the

maths, what will it be in 20 years time? But it will only get

better if we raise the money because research costs so

much.”

Organiser Natasha Russell said: “If everyone gets their

sponsorship money in we should raise £278, 000.”