Snowflake Run turns passion into progress to help save more lives

SALTRAM Park was transformed into a winter wonderland on Sunday as hundreds of runners united with one mission in mind – to give cancer the cold shoulder.  

Men and women in a spectacular array of beanies and bobble hats were showered in snow for the first ever 10k Cancer Research UK Snowflake Run in Plymouth - one of just four taking place across the UK this February.

Now organisers are saying a heart-felt ‘thanks’ to everyone who took part - and urging them to give their fundraising efforts one last boost to help raise more money for research into 200 types of cancer. 

Cancer Research UK Event Manager, Ruth Chamings, said: “Our first ever Snowflake Run in Plymouth was a fantastic event and we are so very grateful to everyone who embraced the elements to take part or support our participants, as well as the wonderful volunteers who helped make the event happen.

“It was a wonderful day, full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as over 550 men and women joined forces to conquer the cold – and cancer.

“Now, I’m asking everyone who took part to transform their passion into progress and celebrate their achievement by sharing their JustGiving fundraising page with friends, family and colleagues one final time.

“Our work depends on every hour of research, every pound donated and every person who gets involved - so every single individual contribution matters. It enables our researchers to help more men, women and children in Plymouth survive this devastating disease.” 

Every day, 91 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West.

Cancer Research UK’s Snowflake Run is part of the Winter Run Series. It encourages people to keep running throughout the winter by taking on a 10k challenge, while raising money for life-saving research.

Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and more supporters are needed to help beat cancer sooner.

Ruth added: “The good news is that research, supported by events such as the Snowflake Run, is helping more people survive cancer than ever before. 

“But despite improvements in treatment, we still have a long way to go. Cancer causes more than one in four of all deaths in the UK. With the help of people in Plymouth we want to change that.”

Supporter’s feeling motivated by Snowflake Run can also take on the Plymouth Half Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK. The 13.1 mile race will take place on Sunday 17th April and participants can sign up at plymouthhalfmarathon.com.

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £1 million last year in the South West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

To support the Cancer Research UK Snowflake Run text SNOW to 70200 to donate £5 or for more information visit www.snowflakeseries.co.uk.