Race for Life|Cancer Research UK|Darley Park

SHE'S one of Derby Race For Life's most successful fund-raisers — and now Heather Rushbrooke is hoping to lead the way for the third year in a row.

The mum-of-two has raised £1,100 for Cancer Research UK in donations from family and friends — more than £500 raised in 2007 and over £600 last year.

MEMORY RUN: Heather Rush- brooke who will be running in this year's Race for Life in memory of her grand- father Ted Charles, below, who died of lung cancer.

Taking part in the annual event has also helped Heather achieve another goal — she has shed three stone and dropped three dress sizes, going from a 16 to a 10.

"It has cost me a fortune in new clothes," said Heather, a senior postgraduate administrator at Derby City General Hospital.

"I hit 40 and thought I needed to get fitter. I now walk home from work, which is about two miles, every night and go to aerobics once a week.

"I just cut out all the rubbish and ate more healthily. The weight loss was a by-product of a healthier lifestyle."

Heather, 44, first took part in the race in 2007 after a friend, Ann Smith, encouraged her to sign up.

This year, she will be running for her late grandfather Ted Charles, who died of lung cancer in 1979, and family friend Graham Plant, who died in January just three months after discovering he had the disease.

"I still can't believe he has gone," said Heather. "It just happened so quickly and was such a shock."

Heather said Mr Plant, whose wife Barbara has been best friends with her mother Cynthia Binham for 50 years, went to the GP after feeling unwell and was diagnosed with liver and bowel cancer.

"I will be smiling at everyone and asking for sponsorship once more," said Heather, who lives in Prescot Close, Mickleover with her husband Jonathan and daughters Sarah, 17, and Faye, 20.

Heather is keen to encourage more people to sign up for the race, which will take place at Darley Park on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10.

There will also be a Race for Life event at Donington Park, on Tuesday, July 7.

Last year, more than 6,500 women walked, jogged or ran the Darley Park event and raised £388,240.

People who want to take part should visit www.raceforlife. org or call 0871 641 2282.

If you are running because you have been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly, and would like to share your story to inspire others, send an e-mail to cduffin@derbytele graph.co.uk or call Derby 253053.

Visit www.thisisderby shire.co.uk/raceforlife2009 to read them.