A DAILY Echo investigation into the missing millions promised to Race for Life organisers has pricked the conscience of hundreds of Southampton women.

Last month we revealed how only half the runners from this summer's 150 Race for Life events had passed on their sponsorship money to Cancer Research UK.

In Southampton alone, 4,500 of the 10,000 women who took part in the country's biggest Race for Life had not sent back a penny - and that could amount to as much as £250,000 in sponsorship money.

However, as a direct result of that coverage, more than £30,000 has now been sent to organisers.

"Our call centre reported a huge surge in money returns after the coverage in the Daily Echo - it really made a difference and our total went up by £30,000," said Southampton race organiser Karina Morgan.

At the beginning of October only 54 per cent of runners had bothered to make a contribution but now that figure has risen to a more respectable 67 per cent.

"Next year we are going to be working hard to boost the percentage of women returning money but Southampton is by no means the worst - and I am so pleased that so many women were prompted to send in their sponsorship money," added Karina.

Planning for the 2005 Race for Life in Southampton is already underway and Karina hopes the event on Southampton Common on Sunday, July 17 will once again attract 10,000 participants.

"We want to hit capacity again - and remain the biggest single Race for Life in the UK.

"Due to overwhelming popularity in 2004, nationally we are introducing several new races to enable as many women to take part as possible.

"We will be holding 162 races across the UK from May to July and hope that 425,000 women will take part to help us raise £24m to help cure cancer," she said.