Cancer Research UK chairman David Newbigging handed out certificates to participants in this year’s Relay for Life in Pewsey that raised more than £14,500 for the charity.

Katie Stokes and her fellow organisers invited teams who helped raise the money and the many helpers to go along and get certificates recording their contribution to the 2009 event.

The presentation evening took place at the Coopers Arms in Pewsey where the 24 hour relay took place in July.

It took place the same evening as the service of thanksgiving in St John’s Church for the life of Colin Lampard, the former parish council chairman who died of cancer, aged 68.

Mrs Stokes said she had been sorry to learn of Mr Lampard’s death and she added: “It really does confirm why we do the Relay For Life when someone so dear is lost to cancer.”

David Newbigging, who lives near Pewsey, handed out the certificates.

Mrs Stokes, who founded the Pewsey relay in 2008, was able to reveal that in total it had raised £14,536.68 compared with £5,666 last year.

She said: “I was hoping that we’d raise £10,000 so I am absolutely over the moon, as were the teams etc when I announced the total.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the relay committee, Micky High and Craig Mariner at the Coopers, the cancer survivors who supported the event, the teams themselves and everyone who helped make the relay such a great success.”

The 2010 Relay for Life will be held on July 17 and 18.