I WOULD like to make a heartfelt plea to people in the North-East to support Cancer Research UK's All Join Together campaign which aims to raise awareness of breast cancer and funds for research into the disease.

One in nine women in the UK will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, making it the most common women's cancer. Age is the biggest risk factor, with more than 80 per cent of cases occurring in women over 50.

This cause is extremely close to my heart as my beautiful daughter, Caron Keating, lost her life - aged only 41 - to breast cancer. Although Caron died, more and more women are surviving, thanks to research and new treatments.

By supporting Cancer Research UK's All Join Together campaign you can make a real difference and help beat this disease.

Please help us bring fresh hope to more families, either by organising your own All Join Together fundraising activity, or by joining one of Cancer Research UK's walking events taking place throughout October.

To find out more, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastca ncer or call the Hotline on 08701 60 20 40 for a special fundraising pack.

Gloria Hunniford, TV and Radio Presenter, on behalf of Cancer Research UK, London.