A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy is taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for cancer research in memory of his mother.

In May, Stephen Rais lost his mother, Janet, to breast cancer, only days after her 40th birthday.

Next Saturday, he will walk with his grandmother, Phyllis Rais, around Middlesbrough's Stewart Park to raise money.

Walking with them will be staff and children from the Parkway Day Nursery, at Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, which Stephen has attended for two years, together with friends and relatives.

His grandmother said: "Janet was always bubbly and full of life. She would volunteer for anything. I think she would be really pleased that the nursery is organising the sponsored walk to help Cancer Research UK and other people with the disease."

Nursery manager Rachel Jones said: "We wanted to do something special in memory of Janet and to help raise money for Cancer Research UK at the same time.

"We got to know Janet through her little boy.

"Everyone liked her and we were so upset when she became ill. We want our sponsored walk to be fun but a meaningful way to remember her."

Ms Rais was 38 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease had started to spread when she began treatment to counter it.

Cancer Research UK spokeswoman Julia Haran said: "We are very grateful to everyone at Parkway Day Nursery for the effort they are making for Cancer Research UK."

The walk will start at 1.30pm, and families and children are welcome to join in.