A STOURPORT woman who has battled breast cancer helped raise more than £1,000 for a charity that supported her through her illness.

Christine Clarke took part in the Great North Run, on September 20, with her son-in-law, Steve Smith, 34, for Breast Cancer Care.

She completed the 13.1 miles in two hours and 27 minutes, raising £1,300 for the charity.

Mrs Clarke, of Power Station Road, 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 grandmother-of three then made the difficult decision to have elective surgery and had both her breasts removed in May last year.

She said: “It is really fantastic to have raised so much money in a time when people are having to tighten up on spending.

“The race was really inspiring, such a mixture of ages, sizes and fitness levels and everyone with a word and a smile for everyone else.

“The atmosphere was brilliant and the people cheering the runners on were the ones that really kept everyone going.

“The crowds, Steve and most of all knowing I had to get that sponsor money in, kept me going to the end.

“I felt really elated when I passed the finish line. It was a fantastic day.”