DRESSED in pink tutus, wings and bunny ears, every runner who took part in North Oxfordshire’s Race for Life had a special story to tell.

The Cancer Research UK event on Saturday united thousands to remember loved ones and raise cash for a cure.

The event took place at Broughton Castle and raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

Tiffany Moss, 30, of Banbury, lost her mum to cancer in 2009.

“She had gall bladder cancer, which is very rare – something like 50 cases a year,” she said.

“Her death was very quick – she was diagnosed in March and died in October. Chemo-therapy was non-responsive.

“It just seemed so unfair, but the support from Katharine House Hospice, in Adderbury, was just phenomenal.

“I want to give back and to remember.”

She attended with friends Louisa Castle, 33, from Chester, and Hayley Squires, 33, from Northampton.

Those taking part, walked, jogged or ran around a five-kilometre course through the north Oxfordshire countryside.

Janice Hall, 51, of Bucknell Road, Bicester, said: “My husband is being treated at the moment for skin cancer.

“It is not a very nice feeling. You just feel very, very anxious all the time, hoping it does not go too far.

“He is going through quite a bit at the moment but he is going to come through it.”

She added: “I also had a friend that died from cancer seven years ago.

“I helped her through it, which was very, very hard. It was heart-wrenching.

“She knew she was going to die but wanted to see Christmas. She died on December 23.

“Today is about remembering the people you have lost and hoping one day that they just might come up with a cure. They have got to.”

Janet Paxton, 59, of Balmoral Avenue, Banbury, said: “My mum died of colon cancer three years ago.

“It was pretty awful for her, especially towards the end.

“You just feel helpless because you know there is nothing you can do to take the pain away.

“But Katharine House Hospice looked after her brilliantly, and we are just so grateful for that.

“We are here to raise money to help fight this awful disease.”

Cancer Research UK is always looking for volunteers to help organise and run fundraising events.

For more information, call the area volunteer manager, Lizzie Melvin, on 01295 780976 or visit cancerresearchuk.org.uk