LAST weekend I was lucky enough to be one of the hundreds of women able to take part in this year's Race For Life in Bolton.

It was a gloriousy sunny day, Leverhulme Park was packed with ladies, the majority of them decked out in various shades of pink — all there with one common aim, to kick cancer's butt.

Many of us had very personal reasons for being there on a Sunday morning, and I would say almost everyone (if the messages on the backs of those running, walking or jogging round the course are anything to go by) has been touched by this devastating disease.

There were two teams that — for me at least — stood out.

The brave family of courageous little girl Lily Beswick were out in forces as part of Team Lily. There seemed to be dozens of them, all touched by the life of the little girl who lost her battle against this cruellest of diseases when she was nothing but a tot.

But her bright smile and bravery had clearly touched so many people — how many of us, as adults, can say that.

And the other brave ladies taking part were the family and friends of Natalie Poole, the brave 34-year-old mum who had lost her fight against cervical cancer just the day before.

I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for those taking part in her honour.

It really must have been the last thing they wanted to do — but they still donned their trainers and made it round the course, all to raise money for other cancer sufferers and their loved ones.

Now, if that isn't extreme selflessness and bravery, then I don't know what is.

My own reason for taking part is my own mum's brave battle with cancer.

I was just 14-years-old when she was first diagnosed. A kid, and she kept it from me for as long as she could — that was just the kind of wonderful, amazing woman she was.

It returned twice — and each time she fought it with the same grace, bravery and dignity.

She battled through horrific chemotherapy, horrendous surgery, radiotherapy, hair loss and the other myriad of side-effects that come with this awful illness.

Then, the fourth time it returned, it was just too aggressive, had spread too far, and nothing more could be done.

It broke my dad's heart the day his beloved wife of more than 30 years lost the war against cancer. Who am I kidding, it broke mine too.

There is not a day goes by that I don't miss my mum and wish she was still here.

But there's also not a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for the 14 years I had with her between her first diagnosis and the final fight.

I would always say it was Mum 3 V Cancer 1 — but cancer only needs to win once.

One of the most poignant moments of Race For Life if the minute's silence before it starts.

I, for one, am always a wreck.

But these days, it's not because I'm overcome with grief, but because I remember all the happy times I spent with my mum.

And because I'm so grateful that all these people have come together to raise as much as they possibly can to fund research into this disease so more and more people survive after that first devastating diagnosis.

So, well done all those who took part — especially The Bolton News' girls who I “persuaded” to take part with me. Not only did they raise a load of cash, they also completed it in some AMAZING times.

Every, single person there last Sunday did an amazing thing — and you should ALL be very proud.

Thank you!

Oh, and if you want to sponsor the BN girls, go to justgiving.com/the-bolton-news/