A MOTHER and daughter from North Yorkshire are teaming up to compete in the Great North Run on behalf of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Jan Bolam, 58, and her daughter, Kate Staines, 32, from Northallerton, are among 24 runners from North Yorkshire and the South Teesside area taking part in the half-marathon on behalf of the charity.

They chose to run for Yorkshire Cancer Research as Mrs Bolam lost her mother, father and her husband to cancer.

She said: "We ran five miles the other day and it was hard going on these 58-year-old legs, but I'm determined as I am running for personal reasons. It's impossible not to be aware of the impact that cancer has on family and friends.

"I work as a physiotherapist at the Friarage Hospital and come across lots of people who have had cancer. Nowadays it is not the death sentence it once was and if the research can continue things may get even better

"The other reason I am running is to achieve a personal goal with my daughter by my side.

"I've never done anything like this before and I hope to finish it around the three-hour mark."

More than 47,000 entrants are expected to take part in this year's Great North Run on Sunday, September 26, which is now full.

Anyone interested in raising funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research or wanting to run in other events is asked to call (01423) 501269 or log on to www.ycr.org.uk/running