HOPE for the future and for a cure for cancer was central to an emotional community event which raised thousands of pounds for charity.

The Relay For Life event, which took place at the Bannister Sports Centre, Uxbridge Road, Harrow Weald over Saturday and Sunday, attracted more than 4,000 people who helped to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The event, a non-athletic community and family fun day celebrated cancer survivors and people still fighting the disease while remembering those lost and also encouraged healthier lifestyles.

Activities, which began at 12.30pm on Saturday, included a cancer survivors' lap, a candle of hope ceremony and plenty of other activities, including Harrow's biggest line dance, spacehopper races, circus workshop and fete stalls such as hook-a-duck.

A total of 25 teams took part in the 20-hour continuous relay, including sea cadets, family groups and religious organisations.

The relay was backed by Waitrose Harrow Weald, whose baker rose at 5am on Sunday to make the bread for the teams' breakfasts, Harrow Primary Care Trust, cancer support charities and Leisure Connection Ltd.

Event publicity officer Philippa Strauss, who cooked scrambled eggs for 300 people on Sunday morning, said the Relay was inspiring, emotional and uplifting.

She said: "It was a fantastic event, the weather was glorious and the atmosphere was wonderful.

"I think we won't be any worse off in terms of what we raise than last year, when we raised £85,000, which is great given the current economic climate.

"My highlights of this year's event were the beautiful Candle of Hope ceremony where the candles spelt out 'hope' and 'cure' and the survivors' lap which led off the relay."

Gillian and Leslie Moss who have chaired the Relay's organising committee for the last three years are keen to have more people join them in running the event in 2009.

If you want to find out how you can get involved visit http://harrowrelay.blogspot.com .