A fund-raiser has called time on her seven-year Race for Life run after raising £10,000 by taking part in the annual event.

Like many participants, magazine editor Samantha Mattocks had a personal reason for running either the Norwich, Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds events every year since 2008.

The 38-year-old's friend Jackie Keen, who helped her with proof-reading, died after her cancer spread.

Her close friend Glenn Chambers, 40, from Norwich, also died suddenly from a rare form of Hodgkin's Lymphona – which Miss Mattocks described as 'incredibly, incredibly hard'.

Of Mr Chambers' death, she added: 'At one point, I thought I couldn't go on.

'I just felt so sad and angry that he was no longer here.'

She admitted that she asked herself: 'What good would the fund-raising do? It wouldn't bring him back, after all.

'But I continued and I think that race, done at Ipswich, stands out the most for me personally.'

Although many people would find completing the 5km route tough, Miss Mattocks said: 'I found Race for Life quite hard –not because of the physical side but the emotion.

'There is a sense of solidarity you feel with other people there when you are standing on the line ready to go.

'The support you get when going around is amazing.

'There are lots of people there and you realise you are not alone. It shows how much it touches people.

'Sometimes there are ex-servicemen giving out the medals. That a veteran from Afghanistan is saying 'well done' to you is incredible.

'All I wanted to do was cross the line and break into tears.'

Miss Mattocks, of The Street, Hardwick, near Long Stratton, encouraged others to take part.

'What stops you from doing it?' she asked.

'I travel the world but I've always made sure I've done it.

'All the money raised is not going to bring anyone back.

'In your head, you know that the money is saving people's lives, but your heart is empty for the people you have lost.

'However, it gives someone else their life back.'

You can still donate to Miss Mattocks' Race for Life effort by visiting www.justgiving.com/the-10k-taminis

Are you doing something for charity? Tell the Mercury by calling 01379 651153 or email dma.news@archant.co.uk