THE daughter of a man who lost his life to cancer will take on a sponsored run to celebrate his birthday.

Graham Lawrence, a builder from Weymouth, passed away in 2009 after a battle with lung cancer.

His daughter Fiona Wilson will complete the Cancer Research UK Race for Life on May 20 with hopes that the money raised will mean a cure for the disease is closer.

Mrs Wilson, 27, said: “The race falls on my dad’s birthday, so when I saw it advertised I thought it would be a nice way to commemorate his life.

“I have been suffering from an abscess for the last 14 months so I haven’t been in the best place.

“I’ve been in a lot of pain, but I really want to do this for my dad.

“I physically can’t run very well at the moment, so I’m planning to walk it – but I will complete it.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes me, it’s raising awareness that’s important.”

After Mrs Wilson has completed the five kilometre challenge in Dorchester, her family will scatter Mr Lawrence’s ashes.

Mrs Wilson, an assistant manager at McDonald’s, said: “Dad was Weymouth born and bred and he did a lot of work for local businesses, he was well known.

“A couple of my brothers are travelling down to cheer me on and then afterwards we’ll scatter dad’s ashes along with my sister.

“We haven’t decided where yet but we thought it would be special as it’s his birthday.

“It’s going to be a very hard and emotional day.”

Mrs Wilson, of Stanley Road, has already been pledged more than £800 by friends and family.

She added: “I hope I can raise as much money as possible for the charity.

“I hope that one day the people at Cancer Research can make the medical breakthroughs to find a cure for cancer.”