STUDENTS and staff from two Halton colleges teamed up to take part in a Race for Life.

Hundreds of runners from Cronton Sixth Form and Riverside College have raised more than £3,200 for Cancer Research UK and donations are still coming in.

The five kilometre event was held in Victoria Park, Widnes.

Before runners set off they were invited write down why they were taking part.

Losing a loved one to cancer or personal battles with the condition were among reasons later displayed on a memory wall in the college foyer.

Close friends from Widnes Adam Maddison, 19, of Falkirk Avenue, and Michael Jenions, 16, of Westerhope Way, were declared joint winners after crossing the finishing line at the same time.

Both engineering students were inspired to run for family members affected by cancer.

Everton FC legend Pat Van Den Hauwe presented everyone who took part with a Race for Life medal.

Joe Clements, college enrichment officer and event organiser, said: “The event has been a big success and we have raised a fantastic amount of money for Cancer Research UK.

“Thank you to everybody who took part and made donations.

“A special thank you to Pat Van Den Hauwe for presenting the medals. Everyone was very excited to meet him.

“We are looking forward to organising another race next year.”

The race was held on March 24.