AFTER organising the Race For Life for six years, Anne Ellwood's work took on a new meaning when her own mother died of cancer last year.

Race For Life, which will take part on June 25 at Witton Park, aims to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, when more than 300,000 women take on the 5km trek at 130 venues across the country.

The 10th anniversary of the race will be of extra-importance to Anne, who discovered her own mother, Mavis Day, had the disease on the day of the race last year. She lost the battle against cancer on December 27.

Anne, festival events officer for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "It was such a crushing blow. She had had cancer before but we found out on the day of the race that it had returned.

"It was a terrible feeling.

"Everyone is affected by cancer one way or another and that's why this event is so important."

After six year's, the partnership between the council and Cancer Research UK to promote and organise the race runs like clockwork. The only thing the team cannot control is the weather. Anne is responsible for race safety, co-ordinating volunteers and overseeing the event -- but she has been known to try to calm the stormy skies.

Anne, of Bold Street, Accrington, said: "I carry out an annual rain dance around the time of the race and we all just pray that the conditions are going to be right."

Aside from organisers' prayers, regular checks are carried out of the course to make sure the 5km route is safe. On the day itself, the course will be checked at least three times before the 7pm start.

Anne said: "Safety is so important because we want the event to be enjoyable for everyone." Council staff from a wide range of departments offer their services to the annual event. All in all, about 20 volunteers are needed on the day to make the event run as smoothly as possible.

But there's no rest for the wicked, as Anne will start almost immediately on the planning for next year's event.

She said: "We already have preliminary dates for next year and it starts all over again as soon as this one's finished."

For more information contact Anne on 01254 697946.