YOUNG cancer survivor Grace Elvidge set the runners off on Sunday on a memorable day for the seven-year-old.

Grace, from Mobberley, was diagnosed with cancer as a baby, and was the VIP guest at the Race for Life at Tatton Park.

She rang the starter bell for the 5k and 10k races before taking part in the 5k event with her mum Alex and dad Mark.

Over the weekend Tatton Park saw 4,485 people enter Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy, Pretty Muddy Kids and Race for Life events.

More than £290,000 was raised to fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research, with the number of those taking part and the sum raised being up on last year’s figures.

Alex, Grace’s mum: said: “We had such a fantastic time as a family, and it was brilliant to see so many people there to raise money.

“We met some fabulous people, and one man even waited by the finish line, after he had finished, just to shake Grace’s hand.

“He had only recently finished cancer treatment himself. It was a great event to do with friends of family, and I would encourage everyone to have a think about doing one.”

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesman in the north west said: “We are hugely grateful for the support of all our participants at Tatton Park.

“By taking part in Race for Life and raising money for research, our participants play a crucial role in helping to turn discoveries made in the lab into better treatments for patients in Cheshire and across the UK.

“We are already open for entries to next year’s events, and would encourage the people of Cheshire to sign up now and get involved.”

At just 11 weeks old Grace was diagnosed with an advanced form of leukaemia, and was placed in intensive care at Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she was baptised.

She faced months of gruelling chemotherapy, had to be fed through a tube and was hooked to machines to help her breathe.

She was so poorly she spent much of the first year of her life in hospital, but following successful treatment her cancer is in remission, and she is a healthy, happy and sporty seven-year-old.

Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds to help beat cancer by funding research.

The 2020 events will take place at Tatton Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21. To enter visit raceforlife.org