A NUMBER of West Fife women affected by cancer came together to help race thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK on Sunday.

Almost 2000 women converged on Kirkcaldy’s Beveridge Park to take part in the charity’s annual Race for Life, an inspiring women-only series 5k, 10k and pretty muddy events that raises millions of pounds every year to fund life-saving research.

Last year, the Kirkcaldy event raised a staggering £120,000 and the klaxon to signal the start of this year’s race was sounded by Rosyth businesswoman and breast cancer survivor Carole Smith.

Carole (67), who owns Forth Country Health and Beauty, is a veteran of three Race for Life events and said, “I feel so lucky to have survived breast cancer. I was honoured to be invited to support Race for Life in Kirkcaldy because I really believe that it’s thanks to research that I am still here.

“Success stories like mine would not be possible without the work of Cancer Research UK, which in turn relies on everyone who raises money through events like Race for Life.” Carole was joined at Beveridge Park by Dunfermline mum Linsey Smith and her nine-person team 'Beat it’, who so far have raised £1334 for Cancer Research.

Linsey (33) was joined by pals Fiona Gordon, Emma Milne and Nicola Milne, of Dunfermline, Lynsey Clark, of Oakley, Carolyn Slater, of Cairneyhill, and Kinross mum Lesley Freck, who took part with primary school daughters Abbie and Jessica.

They all raced in memory of loved ones lost and celebration of those who won their fight against the disease and Linsey, who completed her first race in 2005, said, “Our target was £1000, which we hit on the morning of the race, and donations are still coming in! Although by the end there was torrential rain, our spirits weren’t dampened and it was a great day.

“I first entered after I lost my nana and papa, my dad’s parents, and two years ago my dad was diagnosed with skin cancer. He had a mole removed and had radiotherapy, and thankfully he looks likely to be one of the lucky ones. One of the girls in the team lost their mum only last year.

“Everybody at the race wears a sign on their back to show who they are running for, so seeing that is pretty emotional. But we had friends and family there to cheer us on which was nice, and the crowd were really good all the way around.” If you would like to donate to Linsey and her team, visit their just giving page at www.justgiving.com/beat-it-15.