Ann Walsh has already lost her father, friends and colleagues to the disease – and now her mother and sister are facing their own battles.

But the PE teacher is putting her best foot forward to fight cancer in her own special way.

The 49-year-old, mother-of-three, from East Boldon, is taking part in the Race for Life, in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, tomorrow, in memory of her father, and in support of mum and sister.

She said: "It has been terrible, but it just makes me more determined to raise as much money as possible.

"When I first started to do the Race for Life, people would be doing it in memory of one person, now it's five or six."

Mrs Walsh, who is chairman of the Cancer Research UK's Relay For Life in Jarrow, is also running in the 20-hour relay on July 12, at Monkton Stadium, and the Race for Life in Newcastle the next day.

All three events will raise money for Cancer Research UK, which Mrs Walsh has been raising money for since close friend Sue Wright died of ovarian cancer at the age of 52 about six years ago.

Ann lost her dad George Cook, 70, to lung cancer last April, while her mum Margaret, 72, was diagnosed with bowel cancer just last month.

The latest blow came three weeks ago, when her sister, Julie Cook, 45, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mrs Walsh encourages her pupils to take part in various runs to boost cancer charities' coffers.

She said: "Having been involved in so much fundraising it came as a real blow to find my dad had lung cancer.

"He responded really well to treatment at first, but unfortunately died last April.

"I had hoped he would be around for the relay, as he would have been so proud.

"We raised £20,000 from our first relay, and as chairman again I have set our target at £40,000.

"Last month my mam was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and my sister now has breast cancer.

"Several work colleagues and friends have either died or are undergoing treatment for this awful disease, and all this makes me more determined than ever to raise funds for Cancer Research UK."

* If you would like to take part or sponsor anyone taking part in the Race For Life or Relay For Life, contact Mrs Walsh on 536 8562.