A GROUP of women will come to the aid of a friend suffering from cancer when they take part in the Race for Life next month.

Joan Simpson, 47, her sister, Denise Stainsby, 63, and friend Betty Berryman, 68, will walk 5km to raise money for Cancer Research after their friend, Liz Akers, 50, from Hurworth, near Darlington, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Mrs Simpson, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and has metal plates in her spine, will attempt the event even though her health problems make it difficult and painful for her to walk far.

“I do find it hard to walk long distances,” said Mrs Simpson, who was diagnosed with the condition 15 years ago.

“But for this, I don’t care. It is for someone else.

“I know what it is like to be in pain. You just get on with it – you just motivate yourself to carry on because you have got friends and family behind you.” Mrs Simpson, who is also from Hurworth, continued: “Liz has had two major operations and has had radiotherapy and chemotherapy while still looking after her family.

“She is a true trooper and has still helped others in her time of need.”

The friends, who are taking part in the Darlington event, have already raised about £250 and hope to collect much more sponsorship money.

The women, who are taking part in the event for the first time, have put sponsorship forms in local businesses in the village, including in the doctor’s surgery, in the hope more people will sponsor them.

The friends will be adding bunny ears, tails and collars to their work-out gear for the race in South Park, Darlington, on June 14.

The women-only events, which can be run, jogged or walked, take place all over the region this summer, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the cancer charity.

Mrs Berryman, from Darlington, said they had all known people who had suffered from cancer.

“Everybody knows someone who has had some kind of cancer,” she said.

“We are running for everyone, past present and future.”

■ Nine Race for Life events will take place in the region, with places still available at Sunderland, on May 10, Hartlepool, on June 7, Darlington, on June 14 and Durham, on July 5. To enter, visit raceforlife.org or call 0871-641-2282.