Up to 120 mums and girls from a Southampton school touched by tragedy will put sorrow behind them when they line up alongside nearly 10,000 runners for the annual Race for Life.

Each member of the team from St Monica Infant School in Sholing has a poignant reason for being there. Since 2002 five parents have died from cancer - and those taking part tomorrow will be striding out in their memory.

Team organiser Lynda Bailey said: "We had about 77 people in our team last year and we raised nearly £8,000. My employer HSBC matched the £1,000 I managed to raise and they have agreed to do the same thing this year."

More women than ever with a connection to the school said they wanted to take part. Head teacher Chris Frith and several other teachers and staff members will be taking part - and they are set to be one of the largest teams taking part.

The city is hosting the largest single race in the UK and as many as 10,000 women are expected to complete the five-kilometre course on Southampton Common. Organiser Karina Morgan hopes the Southampton event could raise up to £500,000 for Cancer Research UK.

See the Saturday Review in tonight's Daily Echo for full Race for Life preview.

Don't miss our special 20-page supplement in Monday's paper.