THREE generations of the same family are among thousands of women across the Lothians stepping up to take part in a charity race to raise money for Cancer Research.
The annual Race for Life events start tomorrow with a race around the grounds of Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, when a capacity 1800 women are expected to take part.
And next month up to 8000 women are expected to descend on Holyrood Park
for the main Race for Life event.
The races are being held across the UK, and competitors in Edinburgh are hoping to raise more than £600,000 from the two events.
The 5km races started in 1994, and since then more than 3.4 million women have taken part, raising more than £200 million for the cancer charity.
Among the women taking part on June 1 will be three generations of the same family, all running in memory of Jenny Lambert, who died last year from cancer.
Her sister-in-law Elaine Lambert agreed to do the run along with members of the Edinburgh Curves women's gym.
Joining her on the race will be her seven-year-old daughter Katrina, and her 75-year-old mother-in-law Heather Lambert.
Katrina, who Mrs Lambert said was "extremely close" to her late aunt, has even set up a website to help collect sponsorship.
"Jenny died last year, less than year after she had been diagnosed with cancer, so it was a big shock for the whole family," said Mrs Lambert.
"It was terrible for her, as she had several unexpected symptoms which she went into hospital for, and initially they didn't think it was cancer. By the time they diagnosed her the damage had already been done, and she passed away almost exactly a year ago.
"My husband and myself took part in a charity run last year just after she died, and it was quite a poignant event for us, as we were both thinking of her.
"My daughter was extremely close to her auntie and so she really wanted to take part, and Jenny's mum also wanted to help out. I think it could be really helpful for her, as it will be very emotional."
Organisers of the local Race for Life events said they had been delighted at the response this year, and were hoping Holyrood Park could be a complete sell-out.
Angela Kilday, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman, said: "Cancer Research UK currently spends over £27 million each year in Scotland alone on world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
"This vital work would not be possible without the support of the thousands of women that take part in Race for Life, for which we are extremely grateful.
"We are delighted that the Hopetoun event filled to capacity and we hope that the Holyrood Park event does the same."
The Race for Life Event at Hopetoun House starts at 11am tomorrow. Registration for the race at Holyrood Park on June 1 closes at midnight on May 27.
•
www.raceforlife.org/scotland•
www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/katrinalambert The full article contains 536 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
