YOUNG campaigners and old stagers helped one of Burnley’s biggest fundraisers race to new heights.

Superfit Katie Trickett, 27, from Accrington, was the first back in an impressive 19 minutes and 45 seconds, for Towneley Park’s 2010 Race for Life on Sunday.

But the crowds gave just a big a cheer for back marker Norma Thorp, 71, from Todmorden, who is fighting anaemia and only had a new knee fitted at the end of March before she tackled the 5km course.

The pair were joined by 1,726 other runners, joggers, walkers and pram-pushers, as they looked to raise more than £77,000 for Cancer Research.

Clayton Harrier Katie was running with 17 others for Springhill School, even though she left them trailing in her dust.

Veteran Norma said: “I’ve got blood cancer and I only had a new knee 10 weeks ago. I’m just doing this to prove I’m still alive.”

Six-year-old Amelia Norcross, who attends Earby Springfield Primary, is already a veteran of three such races, after being diagnosed with leukaemia aged three.

Her auntie Brenda Norcross said: “She is currently in remission now but she had to go through a lot of chemotherapy at Manchester Children’s Hospital.”

Aerobics experts Paul Booth and Kath Morris helped the assembled masses to warm up before their dash.

And brave sisters Maxine Betts, Eileen Eve and Jackie Robinson, from Barrowford and Nelson, were the VIP starters.

The Lancahsire Telegraph reported how the trio have all battled cancer, which claimed the life of their mother Marlene Hartley in 1994 aged 59.

Before the start, Maxine, who had both breasts removed and later reconstructive surgery, said: “Because of Cancer Research I got my life back and my sisters got such wonderful treatment.

“Everyone here today though are sisters because we are all fighting for the same thing.”

Each one across the finishing line received a commemorative medal from army and air cadets, who volunteered for the event, and a kit bag from event sponsors Tesco.

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