TWO FRIENDS will run in three races to help raise awareness of cancer and money for Cancer Research UK on behalf of a close friend currently undergoing chemotherapy.

TWO FRIENDS will run in three races to help raise awareness of cancer and money for Cancer Research UK on behalf of a close friend currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Lesley Roberts from Cherries, Sid Road, Sidmouth, and Donna Jones from Budleigh Salterton, will run a half-marathon (13 miles) in Torbay in June, the six kilometre Race4Life at Westpoint in July, and a 10 kilometre run at Powderham in aid of the charity.

They decided to do the runs again after learning their friend Brian McConnell, 40, had been diagnosed with secondary liver and lung cancer.

A year ago they raised �1,000 for the charity running for Brian, who initially had rare facial cancer, and another close friend, Dave Maddock, who is in remission from throat cancer.

Now Lesley, who is married to Chris and has twin sons Freddie and Charlie, and Donna, who is married to Fraser and has two girls, Alicia and Bethany, hope to better their finishing place and money raised in last year's Race4Life.

Lesley, who also runs for her late father Fred Leadbetter, said: "We came eighth last year, which was quite an achievement out of 3,000 people.

A secretary at Easterbrooks, she has colleagues backing her for the runs and at Budleigh Salterton, Donna, a nurse, is being supported by fellow staff at the residential home she works in.

"Donna is in training and I run five miles every day with our two Springer spaniels, Toddy and Dudditz," said Lesley.

"Donna and I have been friends a long time and have known Brian for at least 20 years. Chris and Fraser are mates with him too.

"Finding out our closest friend has been diagnosed again has caused us, and a lot of other friends, a great deal of distress and all we want to do is raise money and awareness of this disease and give him as much support as we can."

She would like people to donate anything from �1 to beat the �1,000 raised last year.

A charity event was held last year at the Balfour Arms, Sidmouth, and another is planned for Cancer Research UK later this year.

You can make a donation direct to Lesley at her Sid Road home or check out www.cancerresearch.co.uk.

* Two of Lesley's colleagues from Easterbrook Eaton Ltd, Rachel Keeley and Donna Green, are also running in the Race for Life at Killerton House on July 5, in aid of Donna's mum, Annette Bromham, who has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. They also hope to raise funds in aid of a friend who has just under gone treatment for breast cancer.

You can sponsor Rachel or Donna by visiting

www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/rachelkeeley and

www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/donnagreen8.