COLLEAGUES at a retail outlet in Kidderminster are taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Worcester Racecourse on July 6, in the hope of raising £500 for the charity.

The workers from Next are taking part in the 5k race as they all know people who have been affected by the disease.

Remi Hodgson-Welch, 21, whose idea it was to get her friends to join her in the event, said: “I wanted to sign up due to a lot of my family having not long passed away from cancer.

“About two years ago my Nan passed away from breast cancer and then about a year later my granddad passed away.

“Then my Dad fell ill and found out just before Christmas last year that he has throat cancer, but got the all clear not long after.

“I was very close to my other Nan who died of breast cancer when I was 13 – she played a big part in my life.”

The group is formed of ten colleagues from the store in Weaver’s Wharf Retail Park.

Joining Miss Hodgson-Welch in the team will be Sarah-Lucy Worthington (store manager), Elizabeth Townes (sales floor manager), Kelly Birch, Sarah Watson, Kirsty Harpur, Kate Breakwell, Ella Whitehead, Claire Cook and Jackie Cave.

Miss Hodgson-Welch added: “All the staff at work know people, family and friends who have had cancer or have sadly passed away from it.

“It affects us in many ways and that’s why we all want to do as much as we can to raise money for cancer research.”

For more details, or to sponsor the group, visit justgiving.com/NEXTgirls.