FOREST volunteers have raised some £30,000 since last summer to fund vital research into cancer. 

They came together at the weekend for the annual 24-hour Relay for Life at the Dean Academy in Lydney. 

It was the 13th relay and Julie Drew, one of the organising committee, said it was “lovely to see” so many people who had supported the event over the years. 

She said: “Together we have raised £30,000 for Cancer Research.” 

Among them was Forest MP Mark Harper who said he was happy to be back after being forced to miss last year’s event because of an emergency Cabinet meeting following the EU referendum. 

He said: “A huge thank you to the committee who work incredibly hard on planning this event and organising it, and to all the people who take part in it to raise the money to ensure we can continue investing in research to make sure there are more survivors and fewer people that lose anyone due to cancer.” 

One of the scientists whose work is funded by Cancer Research UK spoke about her work and thanked the crowd for their efforts. 

Dr Anna Chambers, who is based at Bristol University, said: “We’re interested in the processes that happen within cells to keep them stable and what goes wrong in those cells with cancer.   

“Many of the drugs we currently use are pretty harsh and if we can deliver more personalised treat­ment, the hope is that not only will the success of these treatments improve but that they will be more gentle to patients. 

“My work and the work of so many other cancer researchers in the UK wouldn’t be possible without the help of supporters like you.” 

The candle which burnt for the duration of the relay was lit by Ian Brown, of Gloucester, a cancer survivor and fund-raiser. 

The first lap of the relay was led by the Severn­banks Cygnets cheerleading group and cancer survivors.