A DORCHESTER woman has issued a rallying cry to others ahead of this weekend's Race for Life.

The annual event is being staged at Kingston Maurward College on Sunday and mum-of-two Michelle Every is urging women to help Cancer Research UK's battle against the disease.

The 37-year-old knows only too well how devastating the impact of losing a loved one to cancer can be after her mum, Geraldine, died aged 44.

At the time of her death in August 2000, Michelle was just 21 years old and her younger brother Christopher aged 16.

She said: "Mum spent two years battling ovarian cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and losing all her hair. It was so aggressive so while she briefly went into remission it was only for a matter of weeks.

"Back then there wasn’t the same level of awareness that there is now. It was known as the ‘older person’s cancer’ and she was only young.

"It was just horrific to go through this and to lose mum. For me, doing what I can to help raise money and awareness is all I can do now."

Michelle, who has two boys aged eight and two, has taken part in her local Race for Life event several times, having first signed up two years after losing her mum.

This year she intends to take part in Poole’s Pretty Muddy event on Saturday, June 18 for the first time.

She added: "Everybody thinks and hopes cancer won’t happen to them or their loved ones but it can and it does. You never know when it could strike.

"Cancer Research UK needs so much funding to do what it can to combat this horrible disease that seems to be everywhere and that’s why I’m urging women to sign and up and do their bit.

"Taking part can also be a great laugh with friends and family – you don’t have to hammer it, you don’t have to even run, just as long as you get round.

"Dorchester’s event is in a lovely setting where you can even enjoy a picnic afterwards and make a day of it knowing you’ve done something amazing."

Brenda Scott, Race for Life event manager in Dorchester, said: "We are so grateful to Michelle for sharing her story and helping us to encourage others to sign up to Race for Life.

"We want this year’s event to be our biggest and best yet, so we’re calling on women of all ages, shapes and sizes to sign up and join the charge.

"It’s time to form a pink platoon of feisty, go-getting girls and show cancer who’s boss."

To enter the Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.