PINK ladies turned up in their droves to raise cash for a cancer charity in Poole.

The annual Daily Echo-backed Race for Life event in Poole Park saw more than 1,700 women and girls take part to drum up money for Cancer Research UK.

There were two 5km events and those taking part ran, jogged or walked their way around the course.

Wendy Bow, from Hamworthy, said she and her group were taking part in memory of their friend Helen, who died from cancer last year.

She added: “We were going to do it last year but she was ill. It means everything to us.”

Friend Wendy French added: “It’s the last thing we can do for her, she will be looking down laughing at us.”

Ann Holder, from Alderney, was taking part in her first event with daughter Becky.

Ann said: “It’s a good thing because it helps you keep fit and we’re doing it in memory of Becky’s aunt Di.”

Joanne Bruton and a group of staff from Sturminster Newton High School do the event every year.

Joanne said: “We do it with a group of sixth-formers, there’s 22 of us. Several members of staff throughout the school had cancer and recovered, which is great. We’ve also lost a member of staff.”

One of the youngest participants was Naomi Ralph, who completed the course on the back of mum Tanya.

They took a different technique from most, called Baby Nordic, where Tanya walked with large fast strides with poles with Naomi in a baby carrier.

Tanya said: “Naomi loves looking out at the world from over my shoulders. We often stride along singing nursery rhymes such as ‘The Grand Old Duke’ and ‘Five Little Ducks’.

It is such a great way to get out and about with a baby while toning up in the process.”

Invited onto the stage before the race was Dee Baylis, from Poole, whose illness has returned for a second time.

She told the crowd: “Events like Race for Life are so important for people affected by cancer.”

While females of all ages took part, one youngster – 10-year-old Grace Copeland from Ferndown – wowed the crowds as she sailed over the line first in the morning race.

Organiser Jemma Molloy said: “It’s a lovely day, there’s lots of emotions that go on; there’s lots of joy and happiness but there’s also some tears as they come across the finish line.”