AN inspirational Worcester woman is set to run her fourth Race for Life to celebrate being given the all-clear from cancer.

Nurse Beverley Hicks originally ran the Worcester charity event, proceeds of which go to Cancer Research UK, in memory of her mother Annette Klee, who died of cancer when her daughter was aged 10.

Mrs Hicks never thought it would happen to her, but in November 2001 she collapsed in the street with a blood clot on her lungs, and tests unexpectedly revealed she had ovarian cancer.

After enduring surgery and chemotherapy she was given the all-clear in March and decided to enter the race again.

"I felt elated, but it is always at the back of your mind," said the 46-year-old, from Barbourne.

"I'm not expecting to break any reords but it will be nice to be able to run it.

"It's important to encourage people to be positive. My husband, son, friends and family supported me, the doctors and nurses were encouraging and I kept positive about everything.

"I'm glad I've been there and got over it and am able to run another year. If it wasn't for research into cancer so many people wouldn't be here today."

A keen runner before she was ill, she was not going to let it stop her and walked the course in the 2002 event immediately after chemotherapy.

During her treatment she studied for a diploma in nursing, which she successfully completed last July, and is now studying for a nursing degree at University College Worcester.

Mrs Hicks lives a stone's throw away from Worcester's Pitchcroft racecourse, where the event starts.

She has been training hard as an incentive to get fit and encourage people to support the charity.

The Race for Life is a women's only 5km sponsored event to raise funds for research into preventions, treatments and cures for cancer, and will take place in Worcester on Sunday, June 13.

To enter or for more information visit www.raceforlife.org or call 08705 134314.

For information about Cancer Research UK visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

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