THOUSANDS of women who came together in to raise money for Cancer Research UK have netted a staggering £261,800 so far and the money is still coming in.

About 4,700 women took part in the Race For Life and the Pretty Muddy events at Lydiard Park to raise money for the charity and its aim to beat cancer.

Michelle Leighton, the event manager for Race For Life in Swindon, said: “I’m so pleased with how much the Swindon ladies have raised."

She is urging anyone who took part who hasn’t yet returned their sponsorship to do so and to use the £10 early bird entry offer for the 2016 race, which closes at the end of November.

Anyone who has an offline donation can add them to their JustGiving page, or use one of the many other ways to return the forms including http://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/raise-money/return-your-sponsorship.

“Every penny you raise goes towards our life-saving research,” said Michelle.

“Cancer Research UK doesn’t receive any Government funding for its ground-breaking research. So every contribution matters.

"Many people don’t realise that their entry fee only covers the cost of the event.

"It’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference. So, whatever the amount, we’re asking everyone to make every effort to return their sponsorship.

“We’re planning more Race For Life and Pretty Muddy events in Swindon in May so we are urging people to get their entries in as soon as they can.

“Signing up to a 2016 Race for Life event costs just £10.

If your chosen event isn’t listed yet, then all you need to do is buy an Early Bird Voucher now and use it when entries open.”

Race For Life vouchers can be used on any 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy event.

Michelle is also reminding would-be competitors they can take advantage of the Race For Life clothing sale and save money on T-shirts, accessories and much more. Prices start at just £1 and delivery is free.

For information on returning sponsorship money, or to make a donation, visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

One in two people will get cancer at some point in their lives.

But thanks to advances in research, more people are surviving than ever before.

Recent figures show that death rates for breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancer combined have fallen by almost a third in the last 20 years and more than 95 percent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured. More women are surviving breast cancer and more children are surviving than ever before.