North Lopham racer, Marie Mayes, raises more than £8,000 for Cancer Research UK with stock car fundraiser

A school kitchen worker has raised thousands of pounds for a charity close to her heart by taking part in a stock car race.

Marie Mayes, who works at Roydon Primary School, got in the driver’s seat as 22 female racers took to the track at Kings Lynn’s Adrian Flux Arena.

The 44-year-old and her fellow participants managed to raise £8,377.15 for Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Mayes said: “We have done a few of these before for charity but we really wanted to do this for Cancer Research this time round as a friend of ours has just been through cancer. My nan also died of the disease, so I have a deep personal connection.

“Whether we like it or not, cancer is a massive part of our lives, with most people either being diagnosed themselves, or knowing someone who has been through it. It affects so many people.”

All of the racers had to source stock cars to take part, with Mrs Mayes, from North Lopham, borrowing her husband’s car for the event.

“Once we put this out there that we were doing this event, the racing community really came together, as a family, to help as much as they could,” she said.

“One man, who had battled cancer himself, even contacted us to offer his car for someone to drive on the day.”

Mrs Mayes, who has raced various types of cars over the years, said she was astounded by the amount of money raised through the event.

“Each driver was given a sponsorship form and they did all they could to get as much money for a brilliant cause,” she said.

“We got the first amounts in and then it just kept coming and coming. It was incredible and we could not believe it quite how much people had been able to raise.”

The cheque for the total amount was presented to a representative from Cancer Research UK at the track.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that got behind the wheel as none of these drivers had raced a two-litre saloon before, which was out of their comfort zone and some had never raced, so that is a great achievement,” she added.

“We also want to thank all of those that donated to get this amazing amount. We are absolutely gobsmacked with the total and we can not thank them enough.”

Mrs Mayes, whose two sons race at King’s Lynn, said they had already confirmed with the track that the event would return next year.