GIRLS and women in Dorset have raised a staggering £2.5m in just six years by taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

This is the incredible amount of money that has been collected by the 54,000-plus people who have come together at races in Dorchester, Bournemouth, Poole and Kingston Lacy.

Race organisers say fundraising figures are still growing as this year’s money rolls in and they are amazed by the support.

Area marketing manager Alice Fuller said: “On behalf of Cancer Research UK and the Race for Life team, I would like to thank the women of Dorset, and especially Echo readers for the support and commitment they have shown to Race for Life over the years.

“£2.5 million is an incredible achievement and one that makes a very real difference to the work of the charity.”

The charity spent more than £6 million in the South West last year on a wide range of research into many types of cancer. Women in Bournemouth are taking part in a trial funded by Cancer Research UK that aims to improve treatment for an early form of breast cancer.

Successes have included: n More than 95 per cent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured n In the 1960s only one child in 10 survived leukaemia - today eight out of 10 survive.

n More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before.

n Cancer survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years.

Alice is calling on all those people who took part in this year’s Race for Life campaign to send their sponsorship money in and help make a difference.

Alice added: “There are over 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find a cure for all of them. That’s why it is so important that people continue to support us, through events like Race for Life, and it’s why we are so grateful that we can rely on the ladies of Dorset to sign up year after year.”

Cancer Research has organised a Twilight 5km event in Southampton on October 18. To enter visit raceforlife.org

YOU can see all our pictures and videos from this year’s race for life events in Bournemouth, poole and East Dorset at bournemouth echo.co.uk/news/raceforlife.