After watching her husband Paul beat cancer Cynthia Orritt-Rawlinson is running Race For Life to celebrate his survival. She is urging women in East Lancashire that it’s not too late to take part in the event next Wednesday.

RAISING money for Cancer Research UK, Cynthia will be running the annual Blackburn 3k with a smile on her face.

Cynthia’s husband Paul was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his neck in 2009, but after following daily radiotherapy treatment combined with weekly chemotherapy he was given the all clear last year.

The Darwen couple were delighted, leaving Cynthia inspired to do something extra and next week she will be running Race For Life to celebrate Paul’s bravery and recovery.

“When we first found out that Paul had cancer, it knocked us for six,” said the 44-year-old accountant.

“We were so shocked and just didn’t know what to expect. "I had to take time off work to take him to and from his appointments, but as a wife that’s what you do.”

Cynthia, who works at Bokes Air Ltd, in Burnley said: “My employers were fantastic and I could care for Paul at the same time, but to be honest sometimes it was a nice break to go to work to focus on other things.

“After everything was OK I wanted to do something that would help to raise money for Cancer Research, UK so I started taking part in races.”

Cynthia, who also ran 10k in the Bupa Great Manchester Run, will be completing her third Race For Life event next week.

She added: “When cancer actually hits somebody close to you it’s a huge shock, women should run the race because you just never know when it could happen to you or somebody close to you.”

Cynthia’s father was also given the all clear in 2010, after battling oesophagus cancer and she believes that money raised for Cancer Research UK is vital. “It’s important to Paul and I to raise money to help Cancer Research UK make a difference for future generations who are diagnosed.”

More than 2,000 women have registered to take part in the Blackburn Race for Life but places are still available.

Cynthia added: “I would urge every woman from Blackburn and beyond to think about registering for Race for Life.

“It is such a special event with an incredibly emotional atmosphere for all taking part.”

Race for Life event manager in Blackburn Laura Taylor said: “More people, like Paul, are now surviving cancer thanks to the work of Cancer Research UK, which in turn relies on everyone who raises money through Race for Life.

"We hope women will be inspired by Paul’s survival and bravery to enter as well as inviting their friends, sisters, mothers, daughters and colleagues to sign up as well.”