IT WAS four days before Christmas in 2004 when Julie Crockford discovered she had breast cancer.

But brave Julie is not running Race for Life to celebrate her own triumph over the disease.

Instead she is running with others in mind - including her recently widowed friend Jeanette Palmer who is facing cancer treatment for the third time.

"She is trialling a new type of drug which just shows how important it is to raise money for research into cancer," said Julie, 60.

Julie, from Bursledon, is running Race for Life with friends including her pal's daughter Abby Standing.

Abby, 12, is running in memory of a classmate who lost his battle with cancer just a few weeks ago.

"It's wonderful that Abby is taking part," added Julie. "She is so enthusiastic."

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Julie has already raised an impressive £1,750 for Cancer Research UK and this year hopes to beat her 2007 total of £750.

"I'm so committed to Race for Life," she said. "I feel so fortunate with the way I came through cancer and now I want to help other people.

"It's a tremendous event with such a great atmosphere. It's a happy day but tinged with sadness and I always burst into tears when I cross the finish line."

Women and girls of all ages are invited to Race for Life on July 13.

The Southampton event is the biggest single Race for Life in the country and regularly raises more than half a million pounds to help in the fight against cancer.

If you want to be part of England's biggest women only fun run, register at raceforlife.org.uk/ southwest or call 0871 641 2279.