Dawlish News

The posters along the six-mile course carried a poignant message: Together, We Can Beat Cancer.And more than 900 fundraisers gathered and joined forces to attempt to do just that yesterday.

Runners of all ages, from teenagers to pensioners, lined up for the Cancer Research 10K Challenge at Powderham Castle, near Exeter.

Their solidarity in raising what was a resounding and incredible £60,000 was, in the words of onlookers, truly amazing.

Those participating came from all walks of life, from builders to bank workers, and most completed the course within an hour.

Most donned blue and pink T-shirts to highlight the colours of the charity. One 26-year-old woman ran in a tiara and tutu.

But all had their sights set on completing the course and finishing the event with a smile.

Almost everyone had a story to tell of how cancer had touched their lives whether it be through a relative or friend with the disease.

For a dozen ambulance staff from Tiverton, their aim was to collectively raise thousands of pounds in memory of colleague and good friend Gill Matthews.

Gill, 49, a paramedic at Tiverton Ambulance Station, died of cancer in August.

Crew member Lee Dyer, 44, said: "She had been with us for 11 years and was married with three children. Running today is our tribute to her."

Dawlish Community college teacher and mother-of-two Karen Watkins, 36, was the first woman to finish in a time of 45 minutes.