A GROUP of friends and family from Wrexham have taken part in the Rhyl 5k Race for Life.

Ruth Cordiner was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year and decided to run the 5k after wanting to give something back to the people who helped her.

Fortunately for Ruth, the cancer was dealt with quickly by the Shooting Star unit at the Maelor.

Ruth said: "From the onset I have been positive and keen to keep walking to stay healthy. I wanted to prove to my children that having Cancer was not going to stop me having fun and carry on with my life as before.

"At the end of April, my husband Meirion, son Owen, youngest daughter Sioned and my mum Nora had already completed a sponsored walk up Moel Famau for Breast Cancer Research.

"As our eldest daughter Hafina was away at Lancaster University at the time, she registered to run the 5k Race for Life in Rhyl for Cancer Research on June 10 along with her close friends Nia Williams, Elin Thomas, Ellie Roberts and Elain Evans. Soon after Sioned wanted to join them so she and I registered too.

"On my part, the Race for Life was an amazing experience seeing so many dressed in pink of all ages running for their loved ones. There was such a good atmosphere and the run/walk was not a chore but a delight to take part in.

"For Hafina and her friends, they wanted to have a fun day together whilst raising money for research into Breast Cancer. Sioned is a member of Wrexham Amateur Athletics Club and treated the event like one of her 1500m or cross country races and was keen to do well. In fact she came first completing the 5k in just over 17 minutes. I was somewhat slower but did complete it in under one hour.

"I think between us all we should raise over £500. We wanted to give something back to the marvellous research that has helped me.

"I urge any woman thinking of doing a fun run to take part in a Cancer Research 'Race for Life' as the feel good factor of taking part is something to be remembered."