Organisers hail 'fantastic day' at annual Croydon race to battle cancer in Lloyd Park

Organisers hailed a “fantastic day, full of emotion” at Croydon’s annual Race for Life in Lloyd Park last Sunday.

The women-only run is hoped to have raised £135,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Event manager Sarah Parker said: “It was a fantastic day, full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as more than 1,600 women joined forces at Lloyd Park to show cancer hell hath no fury like a woman in pink.

“Now I’m asking all the women who took part – and all the friends, family and colleagues who pledged to sponsor them – to transform their passion into progress by returning the money they’ve raised as soon as possible.

“Many people don’t realise that their entry fee only covers the cost of the event. It’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference.”

Among those running on Sunday was guest of honour Angie Kopka, who was 12 weeks pregnant with her second child Alex when she was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2011.

Mrs Kopka, 38, was referred to Croydon University Hospital when a big lump developed on the side of her tongue and was told by doctors she would have to wait a month to undergo surgery as it was safest to carry out the operation in her second trimester.

The South Croydon mum-of-two, of Sussex Road, said: “I didn’t know what was going to happen to me, if I was going to be able to eat or speak again – would I be able to go to work?

“But my main concern was for my daughter Sophie who was only four at the time and for the baby that I didn’t know would survive.”

After successful treatment Mrs Kopka, who works at Woldingham Golf Club, gave birth to Alex in March 2012 – six months after her diagnosis.

She took to the stage on Sunday to inspire her fellow runners before completing the course with her eldest daughter Sophie. Race for Life events across the country raise millions of pounds for Cancer Research UK each year.

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