A BRAVE Stourport woman who has battled breast cancer will put on her running shoes to raise cash for a charity that supported her through her illness.

Christine Clarke will be taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday for Breast Cancer Care.

The 51-year-old was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 but after recovering from a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, discovered she had inherited the breast cancer gene.

The brave grandmother of three then made the difficult decision to have elective surgery and had both her breasts removed in May last year.

Now that she is feeling fit and healthy, Mrs Clarke said she wanted to take part in the run for a personal challenge and to say thank you to Breast Cancer Care.

She said: “The decision to have the elective surgery to have my breasts removed was a very difficult one and the charity gave me the opportunity to speak to other people who had been through it.

“They helped me get through a difficult time. Having people to listen to was so important.”

Mrs Clarke, of Power Station Road, added she was confident she would complete the 13.1 mile run.

“I’m looking forward to it,” She said. “ I have done 12 weeks training for it. I think I will complete it in about two-and-a-half hours.”

People can sponsor Mrs Clarke at www.justgiving.com/Christine-Clarke0.