A TEAM of old school friends have rallied around a mum from County Durham after being diagnosed with cancer.

The women, who have nicknamed themselves team Boobilicious have raised thousands of pounds in the last six years following the diagnosis of Leadgate mum Lynne McGuigan, who will be the guest of honour at this year's Race for Life in Durham.

The 59-year-old, who was given the five-year all clear in January, will be ringing the bell to start the event at St Leonards sports field, next to County Hall, in Aykley Heads, on Sunday.

The childminder, who has two children and four grandchildren of her own, said: "I’m delighted to be the guest of honour at the Race for Life in Durham. I’m living proof that research saves lives.

"I’m so grateful for everyone’s support and for the treatment I’ve had.

"If my cancer wasn’t picked up so early, I might have missed out on seeing my grandkids grow up.”

She and her friends have raised almost £7,000 for charity since 2013 and in the last two years have also supported Great Lumley charity If You Care Share Foundation.

People can still sign up for the Durham Race for Life, or can turn up on the day.

About 1,000 women, children, and for the first time, men, are expected to take part in the event, which starts at 11am.

Jaelithe Leigh-Brown, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North-East, said: “We’re very grateful to Lynne and Boobilicious for their amazing support.

"Their efforts show how much people can achieve by coming together to raise funds and we’re delighted that Lynne will be ringing the bell for Durham – she’s an inspiration.

“By joining the Race for Life events in the North East, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer. The Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting."

"You don’t need to be sporty to take part. You don’t have to train, and you certainly don’t need to compete against anyone else.”

Also take part is a team from the Tesco store at Dragonville, who have also supported the event by rearranging the mannequins in their front window into a mini Race for Life.

The Northern Echo:

Some of the men from Tesco taking part in Durham's Race for Life - it is the first time they are able to take part

Community champion Joanne Reay, whose sister Louise died of cancer last year, said: "It’s coming up to the first-year anniversary of my sister’s death in June. She was 41 when she died. Towards the end, she ticked off two items from her bucket list and was determined to make the most of the time she had left. She was a real inspiration.

“I’m joining the Race for Life in Durham for her and I know that other staff members, and our customers have their own personal reasons for joining. It only seems right that I do what I can to support such an important fundraising event. That’s why we’re happy to take part and encourage our customers to join too.”