THREE generations of one family will be running to save lives on Southampton Common this Sunday as they take part in a massive fundraising event to raise money for cancer research.

Grandmother Ruth Berry and her three daughters and granddaughter will be joining thousands of other dedicated women in a bid to smash all previous records in the RaceForLife and aim to tot up hundreds of thousands of pounds for Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

Ruth, 59, and daughters Kristina, 34, twins Ellen and Marie, 25, along with Kristina's 11-year-old daughter, Sarah, know how important it is to highlight this issue.

Ruth was devastated last November when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then she has undergone life-saving surgery to remove a lump and reconstruct her breast. Tragically Ruth also lost her father to cancer and has supported her mother through the illness.

Although not well enough to enter last year's RaceForLife, Ruth is looking forward to participating on Sunday: "It's great to see so many people taking part. Not just the athletes and the regular joggers but all the women who really want to join in who wouldn't normally dream of running that far."

Ruth stresses that RaceForLife is not strictly a race. Women from all walks of life and fitness abilities will be taking the opportunity to have fun while raising money for a worthy cause. And with no time limit for getting round the course, Ruth and her family will be taking things at their own pace. Ruth said: "None of us are athletes. We'll crawl round if we have to! It's just taking part that's important."

There will be almost 3,000 women converging on Southampton Common this Sunday but race organisers say there is still room for more. The warm-up starts at about 10am and costs just £10 for adults to enter and £4.50 for children.

For more information contact the RaceForLife hotline on 08705 134 314.