FOREST fundraisers have raised a staggering half a million pounds for the fight against cancer.

The annual Relay for Life passed the landmark figure this weekend as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

This year's total at the end of the 24-hour event was £86,000 and with six weeks of fundraising still to go it is hoped that Forest fundraisers could cross the £100,000 threshold.

Forest Relay for Life chairman Neil Garner said: "We needed £45,000 to pass the half a million mark and we smashed that.

The Relay, which took place at The Dean Academy in Lydney, raises money for the charity Cancer Research but also honours survivors and remembers those lost to the disease.

Speaking at the start of the Relay Mr Garner said: "Today is all about celebration: celebrating the fund-raising that has gone on over the last 12 months.

"It's now time to celebrate, remember and fight back. Forest MP Mark Harper was attending his ninth Forest Relay for Life.

He said: "I was first invited in 2006 and I've been incredibly impressed by the founding teams and those who have helped over the 10 years.

"Lydney is not the biggest town in the country so the fact you've all raised half a million over that 10 year period is absolutely fantastic.

"I've met some fabulous people who work incredibly hard for a valuable cause."

Some 26 teams took part in the event including a group of friends who cycled from the Relay field to Buckingham Palace and back in less than 24 hours.

Angus Holland, Colin Tipper, Rob Lester and Mark Knox – who go under the name of Broke Bike Cycling – were supported by drivers Jeremy Holland and Darren Rowles.

The ride, which covered some 270 miles in 21 hours, raised more than £3,500 most of which came from donations by local companies.

Angus did a 24-hour motorbike ride for the Relay for Life about eight years ago but it was only about three months ago that the friends decided to take part in this year's event.

He said: "We all rode to Chepstow and then it was two on and two off and we'd swap after about 30 miles. "It was relatively trouble-free – we had no mechanicals, not even a puncture.

"People have been very generous – we came in late and we went to companies who have been very generous in their support."

After seeing off the cyclists the large number of participants heard from Forest Relay for Life committee member Lauren Brown about her 10 years cancer-free and Kate Newell, of the Lydney TLC family project and another cancer survivor read a poem.

The 10th anniversary was also marked with a special cake, made by committee member Gill Drew, which included the names of the teams taking part.

For more about Lauren's story and pictures from the this year's Relay for Life see the centre pages.