Luton's Relay For Life was organised by Judith and Tony Jerodiaconou of Old Bedford Road whose beloved daughter Charlotte died in May last year after losing her four year struggle with the disease. And it was such an incredible success that all 28 teams are already signed up for next year.

"It was incredible, just incredible," said Judith. "You never know what the reaction is going to be but we've been inundated with messages. Everyone was so inspired by the event and we've had some phenomenal comments. We've had a huge amount of support and although we're still counting, we've raised about £70,000 - way above our £50,000 target."

The event was a testament to the courage of 52 survivors who launched the event with a lap of honour and the feisty couple who were determined the memory of their gutsy daughter would never dim.

They wanted to celebrate Charlotte's bravery and determination while she battled a brain tumour by doing something for other sufferers.

From the moment Luton choir Cantores opened the ceremony at noon on Saturday until X Factor star Beverley Trotman sang the closing anthem 24 hours later, it was charged with emotion.

One of the highlights was the Candle Of Hope ceremony when 14-year-old Sophie Burke read a moving poem charting her reaction after learning her 28-year-old cousin and godmother, Elaine McGlynn, had leukaemia. It was the winning entry in a competition organised by Cardinal Neuman School to help youngsters deal with their feelings about cancer.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the house," Judith said. "There was such a big uptake on dedicated candles we had to go out and buy more. In the end there were 550 lined up right round the track. It was very, very emotional.

"We were so touched by the enthusiasm shown by all the teams. It was a fantastic tribute to my daughter and to everyone else who has lost someone to cancer. Charlotte would have loved it."