A BREAST cancer survivor is preparing to run the Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Worcester this year.

The city's Race for Life events are taking place on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17, at Worcester Racecourse - and places are still available.

Marie Tyrrell, from Happy Feet Fitness in Worcester, has helped many women get into shape through the company's Couch to 5K courses.

She said: "For many years I've volunteered as a marshal at Race for Life and loved being involved it that way.

"In 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself, last year I wasn’t up to running but I still marshalled, this year I'm going to be running it.

"I managed to keep some running up during my chemotherapy and I'm sure that helped mentally and physically.

"You never think cancer will happen to you, but it can affect any one of us at any time, its life changing.

"Luckily these days, with all the research that is being done and the improvements in treatment, many more of us will survive this horrible disease than ever before.

"I want to show that even if you do hear those three little words "you've got cancer", you shouldn’t give up; life after cancer can be amazing."

Kelly Rumble, Cancer Research UK’s Worcester event manager, said: "Massive thanks to Marie for all the support she's providing the ladies with training at Happy Fitness Feet. And for her long standing passion for volunteering at our events - without volunteers and supporters like Marie and her team our events wouldn’t happen.

"We receive no government funding so that’s why we’re urging local ladies to lace up their trainers and join us at the starting line to raise important funds for life saving work into 200 types of cancer."

Events at Worcester Racecourse include a 5K, 10K and Pretty Muddy course.

For more information about Happy Feet Fitness visit happyfeetfitness.co.uk

To find out more about Cancer Research UK's Race for Life visit raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org