Our columnist this week is Sam Bairstow, from Cottingley, who tells why a little bit of effort can make a lot of difference to cancer sufferers.

Another year, another race proudly completed.

Having done no training prior to the Race for Life, held at Lister Park last year, except the occasional power walk from the train station to Bradford University, I feel even more proud of my friend and I for taking part for the second year running.

Whether I had to run, walk or crawl, after taking part the first time it would have felt wrong not to this year. The atmosphere on the day last year was so amazing, something I will never forget and will always be proud of doing - it has changed the way I think.

As my nearest and dearest knew at the time, I wasn't exactly the fittest of people or a person who had ever really run for anything other then a train (and then I usually get the next one). I didn't even register for the race until as late as possible for fear of not managing it. But eventually I signed up, got my Race for Life sponsor form, T-shirt, cap and running gear. And I felt fantastic!

Leading up to the run, I was nervous to say the least. Bearing in mind that my wonderful running partner had been jogging most nights since we were 15, my 'training' didn't live up to that standard. The worst thing was not knowing just what I would be able to do in an actual race.

Opting to be early birds and run the morning race, arriving early enough for the warm-up and generally being very prepared, the rain started pouring down. It felt slightly like being in a tropical rainforest; warm and clammy but very wet. Despite this the great atmosphere prevailed and the race proved a success, for everyone who took part and their supporters. The biggest winners were Cancer Research and its patients.

It wasn't about being super-fit, looking trendy or anything other than pure spirit and determination to do something good. It was about knowing why you are there with 1,000 other women.

After the race I felt great, and it was all worth the pain the next day. Needless to say I'll be taking part again this year and probably every year until I can no longer walk. Doing something great for other people is something that's just too important to me. Anyone who takes part just once will realise this.

For anyone who took part last year - well done! For anyone who didn't, I'm disappointed. There is no such thing as the word 'can't' especially when it comes to saving lives.

Thirty minutes' (which is the time my friend and I did the race in, and I'm very proud) worth of pain is nothing compared with what cancer sufferers and their families go through. And the satisfaction you get, not only at being proud of yourself, but helping others, is amazing. Even if you only go and support a friend, the Lister Park race is well worth getting out of bed on a Sunday for.

  • Do you want to write for our Voice of Youth column? We're looking for young people in Bradford with something to say for themselves. Your article will need to be 550-600 words long and we'll need a recent photo of you. Send your columns to Voice of Youth, Telegraph & Argus Features Dept, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1Jr. Alternatively, you can e-mail to editorial.features@bradford. newsquest.co.uk, attaching a jpeg format photo of yourself.