Thousands of women took part in an emotionally-charged Race for Life, as memories of lost loved ones spurred them on to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the fight against cancer.

Runners young and old donned pink wigs, hats, T-shirts and fancy dress costumes to take part in the poignant fundraiser at Leicester's Western Park yesterday.

This year organisers of the event, in aid of Cancer Research UK, introduced a 10km race on top of the two 5km events in the morning and afternoon.

Many runners who themselves had cancer said they wanted to take part to show they would not let the disease beat them.

Mandy Kelly and her six-year-old daughter Eve, of Scraptoft, have both battled the disease.

Mandy, 48, has had breast cancer three times, and had a mastectomy last year.

Eve had to have her kidney removed after being diagnosed with a tumour in 2006.

Mandy said: "It keeps coming back, but I'm fine at the moment.

"Eve has had chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as the operation to have her kidney removed.

"Eve has been to the Race for Life every year since she was born, but this is her first time running it.

"She's been very brave, she takes it all in her stride. You've got to just keep going."

Also taking part was Eden Hubbard, from Saffron Lane, Leicester, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October.

After getting up on stage to open the morning event, the nine-year-old was joined by more than 20 of her friends and family for the race.

She said: "I'm running today because last year I had cancer.

"It's gone now but I am still having treatment."

Proud mum Karen Kenning said: "She's had operations to remove it twice, she's had radiotherapy and now she's on the last bit of chemo now.

"That's the hardest part, the chemo. You'd give anything not to see them suffering.

"It's important to raise money so they can carry on research into cancer. How wonderful would it be if they could find a wonder drug?"

Linda Hartshorne, from Northfields, was among a group of women running to raise money as a tribute to a friend who is fighting the disease.

Linda, 53, said: "My mum died last year of cancer, and my aunty the year before that, but a friend in his 20s has got lymphoma, which is why we wanted to run."

The race was one of several summer events taking place in the county over the weekend.

More than 15,000 people flocked to the annual Ashby Show, in Measham, yesterday.

Visitors to the agricultural show were treated to a mongrel display, cattle classes, live music, a sheep show, vintage tractors and, for the first time this year, camel racing.

Local cheeses, wines, crisps and vegetables were also on offer at the British farm produce marquee.

Show chairman Lesley Whitaker said: "It has been a fantastic day.

"We've got all the exhibitors here and all the farmers, but an awful lot of local people as well.

"It's a good family day out."

Farmer William Livesey, of The Mushroom Basket, in Packington, was among the exhibitors at the show.

He said: "The family has been showing cattle at the Ashby show for seven years and for the last three years has had a stall in the marquee.

"Ashby is a great traditional country show, well supported by the local area, that gives farmers the chance to display the very best of British livestock and produce." In Wymeswold, near Loughborough, the 52nd Rempstone Steam and Country Show was held on Saturday and Sunday.

This year, organisers added a medieval theme to the show, with knights on horseback jousting and fighting for the hand of the fair maiden in the central arena.

There was also a new wildlife and conservation area.

Show organiser Colin Fox said more than 10,000 people turned up for the two-day event.

He said: "It's been a cracking show and I think we had slightly more than expected – the place has been heaving."

Other events over the weekend included a youth open weekend, run by Leicester City Council, with activities including music technology, a climbing wall and graffiti sessions on offer at Highcross Leicester shopping centre.

Sharon Scarborough, 20, from Sapcote, who went along said: "It's an opportunity to try new things."

Meanwhile on Saturday, the inaugural Nags Head Maiden Stakes road walk took place in Enderby. The women-only event, which had a horse-racing theme, raised around £2,000 for the Rainbows children's hospice.

Organiser Denis Mathews said: "We had 22 young mares taking part and it's been really successful.

"This is our first attempt and it will probably become an annual event now."