Norfolk: Twilight Race For Life

21 September 2012, 07:03 | Updated: 21 September 2012, 07:08

A Mum from Great Yarmouth is getting ready to take part in Norfolk's first ever Race for Life Twilight - and hopes to lose 5st in the process.

Angie Ryan, a teaching assistant at Colby Primary School, will be taking part in the Cancer Research UK event to raise funds for research in honour of her mum who beat breast cancer two years ago.

The mum-of-three has already lost 1st after six weeks of training and is now urging other women to join her in the fight against all cancers at the Norfolk Showground on Friday, October 5th.

Like its traditional sister event, Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Twilight is women-only and non competitive. It will raise thousands of pounds for life-saving research to help beat 200 types of cancer -  helping men, women and children across the East of England to survive. 

Women can choose whether to walk, jog or run the 5k route. Most are able to walk 5k in an hour and all women are welcome, regardless of whether they are taking part on their own or as part of a group.

Angie, who weighed 17st 10 oz until recently, is determined to run the course this year after walking Race for Life twice before.

"Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2010 after discovering a lump at Christmas, and it was like the bottom falling out of my world," said Angie (42).

"We feared the worst because we'd already lost so many family members to cancer. Mum's biggest fear was her not reaching her Golden Wedding anniversary in the April. After a mastectomy, she was given the all clear and I'm glad to say mum and dad celebrated their anniversary in style. 

It's also thanks to research she's here today so I'm racing for her and for all my other family members affected by this terrible disease."

Angie's mum Barbara, from Gorleston, has already lost two brothers and two sisters to cancer in just over two years. Now her nephew is battling the disease. 

"I've found training incredibly hard but thinking of my family is urging me to keep on going," said Angie.

"My initial goal is to get down to 12st so I'll be doing Race for Life in 2013 as well. It's an amazing event with such a great atmosphere I would encourage anyone who can to sign up. Together they will be doing something extraordinary - raising money to fund research which saves lives, like mum's." 

Around 700 women are expected to step out in shimmering display of light at The Norfolk Showground and help raise £38,500 for Cancer Research UK.

Gemma Turpin, Cancer Research UK's Norfolk Events Manager, said: "We're urging women of all ages, shapes and sizes to join the moon and stars and enter the first Race for Life Twilight. It's all of us versus cancer and we need you to join the fight as soon as possible! 

It's not about being fast or fit. Instead Race for Life Twilight is a wonderful celebration of sisterhood and hope. It will be an inspirational and moving sight to see so many women with glow sticks and sparkly accessories blazing a trail across the Showground. 

By taking part and raising vital funds they'll be helping to bring light to the lives of those affected by cancer. Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun. The really startling fact is that in the same period of time, around three people in the East of England will be diagnosed with the disease.

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. So money raised through Race for Life Twilight is crucial to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts." 

To enter Race for Life Twilight visit www.raceforlife.org/twilight or call 0871 641 1111.