WHEN mum-of-two Claire Bramwell gets tired she has to use a wheelchair because she is battling a brain tumour.

But she refused to be held back by her condition yesterday and joined thousands of other women and their families in University Parks in Oxford, to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK in the Race for Life.

The park was awash with pink T-shirts and tutus as about 6,500 women raced around the 5km route which, for the first time, included city centre streets.

Mrs Bramwell, 39, from Longmead, Abingdon, has been told that she may only have two years to live, but despite her illness she was determined to complete the route.

She was joined by her husband Chris Bramwell, 46, daughters Becky, 15, and Chloe, eight, and her mother Cynthia Stocks, 68.

She said: “If I can’t walk all the way I will complete the course in the wheelchair.”

Mr Bramwell, who delivers aircraft parts at RAF Brize Norton, said the family had raised more than £500 towards research and added: “We have all been working towards this day and it has brought us together as a family.

“It has been something for Claire to aim for and this has been a real high point for her.”

Sophie Beesley, 15, a pupil at Bartholomew School in Eynsham, was one of 55 pupils and staff taking part, and said: “This is such a good cause because everyone is touched by cancer at some point – I have raised £76.”

The school’s PE and textiles teacher Tracey Edmunds, 52, from North Leigh, near Witney, added: “My aunty, Shirley Emery, died from cancer six years ago when she was about the same age as I am now.

“This event means a lot to staff and pupils who have been affected in some way by cancer.”

Karen Lewis, 41, a teaching assistant from Brookside Primary School in Bicester, ran the race with Denise Hitchcock, 40, Mrs Hitchcock’s daughter Lily, 10, Karen Maciejewski, 36, and Michaela Waddup, 40.

Ms Lewis said: “I have got friends who have been affected by cancer, although not family, but it is important to show your support because you just don’t know what is going to happen in the future.”

Roxanne Harper, 17, and Erica Suttie, 18, from Carterton, were also among the runners.

Miss Suttie, a cleaner at Carterton Community College, said: “My gran Christine Sharples died from cervical cancer when she was in her 60s and my nan Anne Suttie, who is 65, has had cancer twice but she has survived.”

Following an energetic warm-up, runners set off from the park on the new route incorporating Longwall Street, High Street and Parks Road.

Becky Ryczowski, Race for Life event manager for Oxfordshire, said: “Everything went very smoothly and we expect to raise £673,000.

“There is a tremendous sense of sisterhood among the women taking part and it can be a very emotional day for many families, and you see quite a few tears as well as smiles.”

Cordelia Parker, 16, from Appleton, near Cumnor, came first for the third year running with a time of 19 minutes and 30 seconds.

A member of Abingdon Amblers running club, she said: “Winning is not important – the most important thing is taking part to raise money for charity. It was very hot going round but I loved the atmosphere.”

For further information visit raceforlife.org