MEMORIES of loved ones spurred on many of the scores of runners who raised money for East Lancashire Hospice.

Around 300 people took part in a 10k run in Great Harwood yesterday to raise vital funds for the hospice.

Several running clubs from across the area took part in the race, which was won by 29-year-old Burnley runner Matt Lalor.

Many of the runners had lost loved ones who were given end-of-life care at the hospice, including social worker Stacey Lloyd, whose mum, Jackie, died from lung cancer in 2008, aged 53.

Stacey, 38, from Darwen, said: “The hospice provided outreach care for her and the staff were really excellent. They made it as easy as it possibly could have been to watch a loved one pass away.”

There was also a 1k family race, which set off after the main field had started in Alan Ramsbottom Way.

Sarah Farrimond, from Bolton-by-Bowland, took part with colleagues from Progeny Access Control in Great Harwood. The 31-year-old said: “My mum Monica passed away a year ago on Friday, so I wanted to do something to mark the anniversary.

“She’d been ill for about a year but was only 59. The hospice paid for a consultant oncologist to look after her at the Beardwood Hospital, where she spent three days before she died. I wanted to do something to say thank-you to them.”

Sarah’s colleague, Carol Goddard, 51, from Chorley, said she was running in memory of her brother Keith Gilfeathers, who spent his last night at the hospice in July 2012, after losing his battle with cancer.

Winner Mr Lalor, who runs for Blackburn Harriers, finished in 34 minutes 25 seconds, with Trawden Athletics Club member Chris Singleton, 34, half a minute behind.

The quickest woman was Joanne Nelson, 41, of Darwen Dashers, in 38 minutes 30 seconds, with Accrington Road Runner Chris Walton, 29, finishing second in 39 minutes 46 seconds.

The race was organised by Gaskell Motor Bodies and Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, with the route covering Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton.