A CAMPAIGNER who has organised an annual event for years has received a huge honour.

Rose Dalton was awarded global recognition by Cancer Research UK two weeks ago for organising Relay for Life, which takes place at Ascot Racecourse every year.

The grandmother of three, from Chavey Down, was scrolling through the charity's Facebook page when she found out that she had finished runner up for Global Volunteer of The Year, thanks to her monumental efforts in organising the day.

Rose said: "I didn't realise that I had been put forward for global volunteer award. Out of all the thousands of volunteers in the world who organise the event, I got what they call the honourable mention which is the runner up. A guy from Australia won it but I thought, 'runner up in the World will do me nicely.'

"It's quite an honour as I had no idea that I was nominated so it was lovely surprise. Cancer Research UK had nominated me, so that was really pleasing."

She was joined by some of the Team Captains who help organise Relay for Life at a meeting at Ascot Racecourse on April 12 and was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

The annual event sees members of the public fundraising as teams before walking laps at the Racecourse over 24 hours to highlight the fact that cancer never sleeps.

This year, they are hoping to reach the £1m mark having amassed a whopping £897,000 since it began.

Rose added: "We've got under £90,000 to raise as we are hoping to raise a million this year. We are on target and we can see that we are well up from last year. We're quite confident that we will do it.

"It's really special, we are in our tenth year. We started it off when we moved to the area from Ruislip and we have built up a huge army of people who do it year after year after year. It's a very moving event but it's one that people get quite addicted too.

"It now takes place in 28 countries around the world, so people are doing the same 24-hour relay. Nearly every state in America does it, but many many towns within that also take part and it's quite popular."

Every relay starts with an opening ceremony where cancer survivors walk the first lap in a purple T-shirt, before an emotional closing ceremony.

Rose added: "It's a big deal and it makes people think, 'wow, it's really worth doing as we are helping a lot of people here. It's like nothing else'.

"And the fact that it's global means all the races have the same standards with the opening ceremony, the candle of hope ceremony at night and the closing ceremony, it's all very emotional. That's where I cry every time because it's so special."