Relay raises cash for cancer charity

Their hard work paid off as hundreds of people joined them for a relay at RAF Cosford in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Organised by Lyssa Emery, more then £15,000 was raised at the event on Saturday.

Lyssa, who works full time, created a fundraising committee after seeing friends and family suffer after being affected by cancer.

Herself, Dean Evans, Sam Sayer, Laura Mellish, Amy Smith, and Andy Smith have all suffered at the hands of the disease.

Miss Emery said: "We have all been affected by it in some way, and first and foremost I want to say how proud I am of the team.

"Sam is a cervical cancer survivor, and Amy has a degenerative back disease. She actually came out of hospital for the event, and her husband Andy has been looking after their four children.

"My grandmother had breast cancer and then my best friend's uncle died from cancer.

"I never want my loved ones to suffer again, so we decided to come together and do something about it."

The Relay For Life saw people complete an overnight race, with teams of up to 15 taking part.

Miss Emery said: "It lasts 24 hours and there is always one person from each team on the track throughout the night.

"That's because cancer never sleeps.

"All the individual teams have been fundraising throughout the year and this was the a culmination of all of that time and effort.

"It was a celebration of everything we've achieved and each team also had their own tent and stalls set up.

"We hope to raise £20,000 altogether and I know we've already passed the £15,000 mark.

"The day was absolutely brilliant, people have given up so much of their time and I just feel incredibly proud to be involved."

The Telford and Wolverhampton Relay for Life is one of several taking place across Britain.

A similar event for the Marches and Mid Wales area was held at John Beddoes High School in Presteigne, last month, while another walk will take place in Worcester on September 6.