Staff from Thompsons Solicitors are used to helping people with mesothelioma by gaining compensation for them.

But 28 staff members, including eight from the Fowler Street office in South Shields, will be running 5k and 2.5k at the British Lung Foundation's Lung Run tomorrow.

The run, which takes place in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle, at 10am, will raise cash for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund (MKMRF).

The charity, established by Chris Knighton in memory of her husband, Mick, raises money to fund research into mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining, caused by exposure to asbestos.

Team manager David Mole said: "Every penny raised goes straight to the fund.

"When we get involved the damage has already been done.

"There's nothing we can do in terms of the disease, so it's great to raise money for a charity which does research into the disease and helps the family members cope."

Anne Craig, from St Joseph's Court, Hebburn, whose super-fit husband, David, died of the disease, has been in the forefront of the fundraising campaign for MKMRF.

Dozens of workers in and outside South Tyneside suffer from the disease, after employment in local industry, including shipyards on the Tyne.

Proceeds from the run will go towards helping fund important research programmes into mesothelioma.

Chris Knighton said: "It is fantastic to see so much support for this event. It has really caught people's imaginations.

"This is a great event for those who are just starting their Great North Run training and for anyone wanting to keep fit.

"The Lung Run is a great family day out and is a real incentive to set yourself a challenge for a good cause.

"We hope to have hundreds of supporters turn out on the day, but there are still places available for those who want to take part."

To take part in the run, contact 263 7386 or e-mail cknighton-mkmrf@btconnect.com.

This year's Gazette fashion show, to be held at the Customs House, South Shields, on July 25 and 26, will also boost the MKMRF coffers.

Tickets are £10 and are available from the box office on 454 1234.

Thompsons Solicitors is one of the fashion show's main sponsors, along with Pet-Supermarket, in South Shields.