I URGE anyone who has a place in the Bupa Great North Run on Sunday, September 30 to join me and the Cancer Research UK running team to help raise money for life-saving research.

I know from personal experience just how kind-hearted people are in the North-East and am really looking forward to taking part in the event again.

Cancer Research UK is close to my heart. A few years ago my dad, Ted, was diagnosed with a form of cancer known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Thankfully, he's now in remission.

More than one in three people in the UK will get cancer and Cancer Research UK depends on people like you and me to support the work of scientists, doctors and nurses in the North-East who are dedicated to beating cancer by understanding its causes and investigating how best to prevent and treat it.

So, if you have a place in the event and would like to support Cancer Research UK, call the charity's Running Hotline on 0870- 162-1622 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org /running. Everyone who joins Cancer Research UK's team will receive a turquoise T-shirt or vest to wear on the day and be invited to a post-race reception.

Nell McAndrew, Model, TV Presenter and Cancer Research UK Running Ambassador.