Workers run for colleague

The aim of the Race for Life is to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The charity funds research into finding treatments and cures for cancer like the one that mother of two Mrs Pike from Ramsbury was told she had in March.

Doctors told her in February they thought she had cancer and it was confirmed just weeks later as bowel cancer that had spread to her liver.

Mrs Pike, 63, said she is determined to battle the cancer every inch of the way. She has had bowel surgery and is now hoping to have a liver re-section, where the affected part of the organ - the only one that can regenerate itself - is cut away.

Mrs Pike, who has a grown up daughter and son, is also undergoing chemotherapy still for the bowel cancer.

She has worked at the Portman Building Society since 1978 when it was the Ramsbury Building Society. She is currently taking time out from her job as a customer service adviser at the Marlborough branch.

Six of her colleagues are hoping to raise at least £500 between them because anything over that sum their bosses will double.

Branch manager Sue Corp will be joining customer advisers Jennie Little, Lucy Taylor, Hayley Cartwright and Ruth Hopkins in the five-kilometre run/walk on Sunday.

They said they were taking part to help raise money towards finding a cure for their colleague Mrs Pike but also because all of them have had friends or relatives diagnosed with cancer.

Lucy Taylor said: "Customers or anyone else can help us reach our target by donating generously in the buckets inside the Portman branch in Marlborough."

Other Portman branches in neighbouring towns are supporting the appeal.

The Race For Life is taking place around the Marlborough College sports fields and starts at 11am.

Deborah Pollock, sister of Mrs Pike's partner Ashley Krauesslar, will be running in the Race for Life at Newbury Showground on July 10.

Members of the Curves gym in Devizes will also be taking part