Race for Life at Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds sees nearly 1,000 runners and walkers bring the fight to cancer

In a wave of pink, hundreds of runners and walkers - all with their own stories but united by a single cause - braved the heat to take the fight to cancer.

About 900 people joined Race for Life at Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds, completing a 3k, 5k or 10k course, in aid of Cancer Research UK, with the event launched by MP Jo Churcill.

They will have raised more than £70,000 for the cause close to their hearts and took part in a landmark year as it is the 30th anniversary of Race for Life.

Addressing the participants, Mrs Churchill, who is a cancer survivor, said: "Cancer is big but together we are bigger so let's beat cancer. Good luck everyone."

Among those gearing up for the race were Alisia Kent, 43, and her mum Deborah Phillips, 68, both of Mildenhall, who donned pink tutus.

Deborah's husband Trevor, 73, was diagnosed with bowel and lung cancer in 2014 and survived.

She said: "It's rewarding for me as I feel really good about helping others like my husband was helped."

Resplendent in pink, including wigs, were the Wanderers team made up of husband and wife duos Kevin and Helen Goldsmith, 68 and 60, as well as Lorraine and Steve Hurren, 56 and 63, all of Needham Market.

Kevin had cancer about 20 to 25 years ago and the team have all had family members and friends who have died from the disease.

Helen said: "Race for Life is something I've always wanted to do but never had the confidence before."

They have raised nearly £300 as a team, which is named after their bikers and trikers group with members from across East Anglia.

Meanwhile, Linda's Team were wearing blue and orange as organiser Linda Millett's husband Colin has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Linda, 65, of Wells-next-the-Sea, was joined by Debs Martin, 64, of the Stowmarket area, and Virgina Comely, 59, of Fornham All Saints. Together they have generated more than £1,000.

Virgiania has a colleague who has been diagnosed with cancer and Debs' cousin has prostate cancer.

Virginia said: "This year more than ever it means more for us. It's always very emotional and so well run. It's always amazing."

David Llewellyn, 66, of Feltwell, joined granddaughter Morgan, 18, of Bury St Edmunds, for the race in tribute to his wife Margaret, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last April and has since been given the all clear.

Margaret, 64, was there to support them and highlighted the importance of routine mammograms.

"Without that it would have been another two/three years before I felt a lump and I would have been so much further down the line," she said.

She raised £600 from a coffee morning for the charity last September.

Before the race began, Jo Brown led the warm-up and Gary Stevens was the event host.

Rebecca Day, area event manager for the charity, said: "Everyone has a reason for taking part - it could be if someone is going through cancer treatment, someone is a survivor or friends and family have a close connection to the cause.

"Everyone comes together for a reason and that's to beat cancer."

Participants were due to receive a special medal to mark the 30th anniversary.

Cancer Research UK will next host a 3k, 5k and 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids event at Trinity Park, in Ipswich, on Sunday, June 18.