Thousands Get Covered in Mud for a Cause: Cornwall Raises £150,000 to Beat Cancer

Published On: 12 May 2025Last Updated: 12 May 2025By CornishStuff

Over 2,300 people took part across Stithians and Falmouth this weekend to support Cancer Research UK

Cornwall came together this weekend in a powerful show of solidarity to raise £150,000 for Cancer Research UK, as thousands took part in this year’s Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events.

At Stithians Showground on Saturday, 1,650 adults and children tackled the Pretty Muddy obstacle course, clambering through muddy tunnels, crawling under cargo nets, and bouncing along on space hoppers. Meanwhile, Sunday’s 5k and 10k races at Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth saw over 600 participants warming up together before taking to the route.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Among the many taking part were cancer survivors, friends, families and colleagues who have all felt the effects of the disease in one way or another.

Joanna Cooper, part of a five-strong team called the ‘Mermaids’, has first-hand experience of the importance of cancer research. Joanna said:

“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and have been on two clinical trials. Thankfully, five years after I was diagnosed, I’m here today and our team has raised around £2,000 to help other people.”

The Mermaids team, which also included Anke Craigie and Kerrys King, raised more than £2,000 for the cause.

Siblings Matilda Thorniley, 12, Jemima, 10, and Oscar, 6, joined the race in memory of their Auntie Rose and raised over £405. A 36-strong team from Imerys Minerals also took part to support their colleague Marie, a cervical cancer survivor. Team leader Hannah Cutlan said:

“I took part in this on my own last year, suggested it to the team and now we have 36 of us! We’ve carried out cake sales, raffles and our company has sponsored us £500 to help us raise a total of over £4,800 so far.”

Celebrating Survival, Honouring Loved Ones

Sunday’s Race for Life in Falmouth was full of emotional moments. Penny Williams, from Camborne, joined friends and family to celebrate her recent all-clear after a three-year battle with triple negative breast cancer.

Penny said:

“I was given the all-clear and signed off from my treatment two weeks ago after three years of chemo, surgery and radiotherapy. I know how important research is and am so pleased to have received my good news just before Race for Life.”

Vanessa Hubbard joined the race to support her husband Martin, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for bladder cancer. She was accompanied by her friend Claire Gibson and niece Jessica Bush, who have also lost loved ones to the disease.

Lynn Harvey, 74, ran alongside her friends Pamela Stansfield and Linda Whitney. Lynn said:

“I’m 15 years cancer free after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had surgery and here I am running the Race for Life 15 years on.”

“Life Is Worth Racing For”

Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the South West, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Cornwall. No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We’re proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.”

Organisers are now urging everyone who took part to return their sponsorship money as soon as possible, with every donation helping to fund new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, raising millions for vital research. Funds have helped to develop breakthroughs such as the HPV vaccine, abiraterone for prostate cancer, and modern radiotherapy techniques that benefit patients worldwide.

Want to Get Involved?

The Plymouth 5k and 10k on 1st June and Pretty Muddy on 20th July. Anyone signing up between Tuesday 20th May and Monday 2nd June can use the code SUMMER30 to get 30% off their entry fee.

To sign up, visit raceforlife.org

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is held in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group.

Chief Executive Andy Curran said:

“We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country. By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”