The streets of Glasgow were transformed into a sea of pink today for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.
Brave young Freya Pennington sounded the start horn at Glasgow Green along with sister Eliza to send thousands of participants on the 3k and 5k courses through the city centre.
The seven-year-old Giffnock youngster, who is recovering from leukaemia, was chosen as VIP to kick off the first Cancer Research UK Race for Life Glasgow in three years.
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It was a special moment for Freya, who received a Cancer Research UK Children & Young People star award in recognition of her courage after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November, 2020.
Almost half a million pounds was raised by participants in this year's race, with the money raised helping scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, helping save more lives.
Earlier, Dr Chiara Pirillo, a scientist based at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in Glasgow, was chosen to sound the start horn to set the Race for Life 10k participants on their way.
Her research tries to understand how the immune system, which is normally able to respond to influenza and other pathogens, can be improved to be able to respond to cancer.
Dr Pirillo who also took part in the 5k event was supporting in honour of her dad Giuseppe Pirillo who is living with leukaemia and in memory of her aunt Annamaria Pirillo who died from breast cancer in 2016 aged 56.
Organisers of Race for Life Glasgow are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they’re appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.
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Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “It’s brilliant that Scotland’s biggest Race for Life is finally back.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part. Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Race for Life Glasgow was hugely moving - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Funds raised- whether it’s £10 or £100 will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
