Pippa Ewing, 26, from Spital, said: “This is the first time I have done the Race for Life in Birkenhead Park.

“I was running in memory of my friend’s mum who died a few years ago.

“Running round and reading the stories people had on their backs who they were running for pulled on the heart strings. But it also made me realise how important events like these are.

“More and more people are having their lives affected by cancer and I can’t think of anything better to do on a Sunday morning than raise money to help beat it.

“It is too late for some families who have lost their loved ones but as the year goes by hopefully there will be more survivors’ stories.”

The money raised from the events across Merseyside will be used to fund research locally. Some of the money will be spent on cancer trials at The Royal Liverpool Hospital which is looking at pancreatic cancer.

The rest of the money will be used by Clatterbridge Hospital in its research into head, neck and lung cancer.

There are still places left on the July 14 Knowsley Hall run. If you would like to take part visit raceforlife.org