A Winchester nonogenarian will be lacing up her trainers to join three other generations of her family in Winchester's Race for Life on Sunday.

Mary Stacey (91) and her daughter-in-law, Jean Spencer (63)-both of Harestock, together with granddaughter, Cathy Watson (38), and seven-year-old great-granddaughter, Lucy Watson, who live at Old Alresford, will be walking and running in support of Cancer Research UK's national programme of women-only races-spurred on by a family triumph over the disease.

Jean's battle with breast cancer began eight years ago. After treatment and surgery at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, she says taking part in the race is really important to her.

"I watched my daughter and granddaughter run last year in Southampton and I thought I must do it this year," she said.

"We joked that we should get my mother-in-law to join us and we really didn't think she would say 'yes'-but she did.

"I am just grateful for living-and I just can't fault the NHS. They have been really wonderful for all of us," she said.

Cathy, a part-time teacher at Sun Hill Infant School, Alresford, has also been inspired to raise money for Cancer Research in memory of her mother-in-law, Christine Watson, who died of cancer eight years ago.

Although the four generations will start the race together, Cathy and Lucy-she's a pupil at Sun Hill Junior-will be setting the faster pace around the 5km course at North Wall Recreation Ground. Mary and Jean have been training but they are planning more of a gentle stroll.

The family will join around 1,200 women who are expected to take part in the first Winchester Race for Life, which starts at 11am, with an optional aerobic warm-up at 10.40am.