DEDICATED workers at a Worcester bank are hoping to raise £500 by taking part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.

The money raised by Gemma Haden and Sarah Williams will be matched by Barclays Bank PLC.

The pair were sceptical about how well they would do, but since they started training they have found a surge of energy.

Sarah will be running her fourth race, she raised over £1,000 in the first three and hopes to raise £300 this year.

The 23-year-old was driven to become a fund-raiser after a family friend was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"That really sparked the incentive off," she said.

"The first race was inspirational but upsetting, seeing people running with lists of names on their backs.

"From the very first race, the emotion and atmosphere on the day has driven me to do it every race since then.

"The atmosphere is out of this world.

"It's fantastic, the whole experience is such an adrenaline rush.

"Cancer Research UK is the most important charity I think, because so many people have had it themselves or know someone who has suffered from cancer.

"By doing the Race for Life you are helping to raise money to find a cure."

The customer adviser and personal banker of St John's , Worcester said that running was a great way to have fun and shape up.

Gemma, a customer adviser at the High Street branch will be competing in her first race and is looking forward to the challenge.

"I wanted to do something I've never done before, something that was a personal challenge," said the 22-year-old from Warndon Villages.

"We speak to customers on a daily basis. Different cancer related tragedies in their lives sparked off an incentive for us to enter.

"I think it's a hugely important to raise money because cancer kills so many people.

"The work the charity do is fundamental, both for the people who do recover and for the families of those who don't.

"They do a lot for them which I think is really important.

"The name Cancer Research UK doesn't really do justice to the work they actually do."

Administrator Jenny Hamblin, assistant branch manager Kelly Crowther and branch manager Jo Holeman will be giving race organisers a helping hand as marshals for the day.

The Race for Life is a women's only 5km sponsored event to raise money for research into preventions, treatments and cures for cancer.

Entrants can walk, jog or run.

The Worcester race will be on Sunday, June 13.

It will start at Worcester Race Course, Pitchcroft, at 11am.

To enter visit www.raceforlife. org or call 08705 134 314.

If you have a story to tell please contact Kate Yates on 01905 742258 or e-mail ky@thisisworcester.co.uk leaving your name and telephone number.

Route and road closures...

The Worcester race will start at 11am on Pitchcroft.

After a lap of the course, runners will leave through the car park onto Severn Terrace.

They will go along Castle Street, turn right into Farrier Street, right again down The Butts, then through the bus depot.

Into Angel Place, left into Broad Street and on to the finish line at the intersection of St Swithins and The Shambles.

There will be road closures in effect during the morning and while the race is on.

n Free training session with Beiersdorf: There is one more free training session at Canon's Health Club, Worcester, for women wanting to get in shape.

Beiersdorf, the Midlands name behind Race for Life sponsor, Nivea, has organised the sessions to help women prepare for the race.

The session will be on Saturday, June 5 at Canon's Health Club, Droitwich Road, Perdiswell, between 1pm and 2pm.