South Ayrshire Council News

The team of lady Councillors display the medals they received for completing the Race for Life event

South Ayrshire Council’s women Councillors are united in their fight against breast cancer and demonstrated this by taking part in the Race for Life at Ayr Racecourse on Sunday 8 July 2007.

The team raised £1,671.00 for Cancer Research UK that will be used to continue the fight against breast cancer.

Councillor Elaine Little, who has had breast cancer, organised the team, after the event she said: “Being told that you have breast cancer changes a person’s life forever. It also has an effect on your partner, children, family and friends. I was lucky, I received treatment at Ayr Hospital. After my diagnosis and since I had a mastectomy and chemotherapy treatment I have made a full recovery. Not everyone is as lucky as I am.

“All of the Councillors who took part in the Race for Life were happy to support the event. We had a wonderful time and it was an emotional day for me. I can’t thank the team enough for their encouragement which got me round the course. On behalf of all the team I would like to thank everyone who sponsored us, friends, family, our male colleagues and the staff of South Ayrshire Council who made generous personal donations.”

Race for Life started in 1994 and has grown to become the United Kingdom’s biggest fundraising event, having raised over £140 million through sponsorship. All funds raised are used by Cancer Research UK the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research to continue their work.

Janice Burtt, Business Development Executive for Cancer Research UK came to the Council’s headquarters to accept a cheque from them on behalf of Cancer Research UK. Janice said: “The Councillors have raised a lot of money by taking part in the Race for Life event, for which our organisation is very grateful. Very importantly they have helped to raise the profile of the charity. Most people know someone who has had cancer, and those who have received treatment and made a full recovery are an inspiration to us all. I would like to ask anyone who has not already handed over their sponsorship money to get it to us as soon as possible so that we can found out the total amount raised through the event.”

For more information on how to return your sponsorship money or to make a donation, please visit www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline on 08705 134 314.