HUNDREDS of women were in the pink at Gyllyngvase Beach on Sunday with as they united in their efforts to conquer cancer.

Women of all ages came together to take part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, which saw them walk or run five kilometres from Gyllyngvase car park, around Pendennis Point, and back to the start.

Ruth Chamings, Race for Life event manager for Falmouth, said: “I want to say a heartfelt ‘thanks’ to everyone who took part in Race for Life, and their supporters, as well as our heroic volunteers.

“It was a fantastic day, full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as nearly 600 women joined forces to show cancer who’s boss.

“Now I’m asking all the women who took part - and all the friends, family and colleagues who pledged to sponsor them - to transform their passion into progress by returning the money they’ve raised as soon as possible.

“Cancer Research UK doesn’t receive any government funding for its ground-breaking work. So every single individual contribution matters. It enables our researchers to help more men, women and children in Cornwall survive this devastating disease.

“Many people don’t realise that their entry fee only covers the cost of the event. It’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference. So, whatever the amount, we’re asking everyone to make every effort to return their sponsorship money as soon as possible. It can be paid in online, by phone or by cheque.”

She added: “We want to see people with every type of cancer, including those that are hard to treat, get the same chances of living a long life. The progress made over the last 40 years shows we are moving in the right direction.

“As advances accelerate, our researchers are already laying the foundations for new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. These include personalised medicine where patients will have treatment tailored to their cancer, immunotherapy which harnesses the immune system to target the disease, better screening and tests to diagnose cancer earlier, and ways to help prevent the disease in people who are at risk.

“But each year more and more people are diagnosed with cancer, so there’s still much more to do. That’s why we need we need everyone who took part in Race for Life in Falmouth to make every step count by supporting our doctors, nurses and scientists so they can take strides forward in the fight against this devastating disease.”

For information on returning sponsorship money, or to make a donation, visit raceforlife.org