A pink army of women whose lives have been touched by cancer took part in a charity race in Aberdeen yesterday to raise funds for lifesaving research.
Around 3,000 runners took part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Aberdeen’s Kings Links.
Leading the charge was mum-of-three Sandra Petrie, of Sheddocksley, who was taking part in her second charity challenge in just five days.
The 59-year-old, who endured surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, took the stage to share her story with the crowd.
She was cheered on by colleagues Pam Taylor, 35, Jackie Christie, 50, and Maureen Smith, 54, who all work at the Tesco Extra store in Bridge of Don.
Earlier this week, the four of them flew to London to complete a Race for Life 5k there.
The trip marked a 15 year partnership between Cancer Research UK and Tesco and celebrated the £20million the supermarket chain’s staff have raised for the charity during that time.
Sandra said: “It’s been one of the busiest but best weeks of my life.
“I feel so proud to be part of a powerful, passionate pink army of women at the frontline in the fight against cancer.
“I want to raise awareness of how this horrible disease affects people and families and to help generate funds to find cures.”
Also crossing the finish line was heartbroken mum Agnes Watt who ran the race in memory of her beloved daughter.
Christine Watt was just 25 when she died from a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer just days before Christmas last year.
The 48-year-old from Memsie, near Fraserburgh said the race was a “fantastic tribute to her beautiful daughter” and would “help other people like Christine stay alive.”
First to finish the 10k event was Gemma Rosie, 38, of Kemnay, who completed the course in under 45 minutes.
Aberdeen Athletics member Martina Hernandez, 26, of Rosemount, was first over the 5K line in just 21 minutes and 55 seconds.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen scientist Lotte Watts, 24, also took the stage to thank the ladies taking part.
Lotte is part of a team of scientists at Aberdeen University who won a grant of up to £1.5million from Cancer Research UK to pay for a five-year programme of research to gain a greater understanding of how cells can be cancerous and how treatment could be targeted more effectively.
