STAFF at the Echo are once again doing their bit in the battle against cancer.

A team from the newspaper will take part in this year’s Dorchester Race for Life to join hundreds of women as they take on the 5km route, raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, May 18 and is aimed at women of all ages and all levels of fitness.

Staff taking part this year include reporters Emma Walker, Catherine Bolado, Tara Cox and sub-editor Teri Dyer.

They will be joined by recruitment advertising consultant Emily Woodgate and classified telesales executive Rebecca Brown.

Group leader Emma Walker said: “Race for Life is a really fun and worthwhile event and I’m really looking forward to taking part for the second time.

“Two of my aunties have battled breast cancer – so it is a cause close to my heart.”

Last year’s Echo team raised more than £400, doubling their initial target of £200.

Tara is taking part in the race for the very first time.

She said: “I always did want to give it a go myself and taking part in a group this year makes Race for Life feel less daunting and really quite fun.”

She added: “I will be trying to fit in some exercise here and there so that I’m not the last one over the finishing line.”

Emily said her friend’s daughter, Kayleigh Jones, would also be taking part.

She said: “Becky has run the race once before but it will be my first time.

“We are both doing it in memory of all women that have been lost to breast cancer and to help all women that are suffering or may suffer from it in the future.”

More than 1,650 women have signed up for this year’s event in Dorchester. Last year 1,473 women took part and raised over £79,000.

To sponsor the Dorset Echo team, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/team-dorset-echo