LITTLE Ella Fowler proudly ran the Race for Life and raised over £700 in memory of her grandfather.

Three-year-old Ella and mum Jo, of Henry’s Way, Lyme Regis, donned their pink outfits to take on the challenge at Kingston Maurward, Dorchester in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The mum and daughter originally signed up to the race as part of the Bridport Hospital team, but mainly for Jo’s dad and Ella’s grandfather – or ‘Grumps’ – Chris Neale, who battled leukaemia 20 years ago.

The race was made even more poignant for the pair when he suddenly passed away in March, just after they signed up.

Jo said: “It gave us great determination and made it even more special that we were now running in his memory, as Ella had told him all about it in great detail that we were running and what she was going to wear.”

On her back, Ella wore a sign saying ‘I race for life for Grumps’, written in her own handwriting.

Ella and her mum completed the race in one hour and six minutes, stopping to look at the baby swans on the lake on their way round.

They were cheered over the finish line by Ella’s proud dad Gavin and younger brother Joshua.

“Ella was amazing and enjoyed every moment, despite it being a very, very wet Sunday,” said Jo.

“The atmosphere was that of togetherness, with everyone there for someone that has had cancer, battling cancer or lost a loved one to cancer.

“A very special feeling edged with a great deal of sadness.

“Ella particularly enjoyed the warm up with such energy.

“It was a very special day but an edge of sadness that Grumps never got to see Ella complete it and show off her medal to him.

“A very proud moment for both Gavin and I to see her complete it, she was so happy to have done it for Grumps.”

Ella has so far raised just over £700 for Cancer Research UK, with some donations yet to come.

Jo said: “We raised an extraordinary amount of money and it exceeded all our targets.

“We were overwhelmed with everyone's generosity and can't thank everyone enough for sponsoring Ella for a charity that is now extremely close to all our hearts.