DEDICATED Katie O’Connell is stepping out in a half marathon after her friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 35-year-old will be taking part in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Katie was already signed up to the event as a challenge to herself but decided to run for Macmillan after her friend Sandra Standen was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks later.

Mum of two Sandra, 34, of Portesham, is being supported by Macmillan.

Katie, also of Portesham, said: “It made me realise that you are never too young to suffer from the disease.

“Sandra is a 34-year-old healthy woman with two young girls and no family history of cancer.”

Katie added: “When we were talking about the amazing support she had received from her Macmillan nurse I asked if she would like me to raise money for Macmillan.

“She was delighted as they have been with her from the minute she was given the news, throughout her surgery and now through her chemotherapy treatment.”

The Bournemouth Marathon Festival weekend has several race distances including 5k and 10k in the evening of Saturday, October 5 and then the half and full marathons on Sunday, October 6.

Katie is running in the half marathon on October 6.

Thousands of participants have entered the events to date. Runners still thinking about taking part can only enter the Bournemouth Marathon Festival events through charity places as standard entries are closed.

Anyone interested or who still hasn’t signed up can enter now and run for Macmillan before the September 11 deadline.

Katie said: “I would encourage anyone to consider running in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Visit run-bmf.com and enter via Macmillan’s instant charity entry to take part in the marathon weekend.

More details about running for Macmillan are at macmillan.co.uk/running