AS RUNNERS take to the start line at this year’s ABP Southampton 10k, one woman has a very special reason for taking part.

Charlotte Moss, 42, is running so that a state-of-the-art cancer research centre can give others the chance it has given her in life.

The University of Southampton is on a mission to raise £25m to build the Centre for Cancer Immunology, which will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Already more than £21m has been raised and construction is well underway but another £4m is needed to bring the project over the finish line.

Charlotte, who works as a business manager in Southampton, took part in a revolutionary cancer immunology trial in Southampton in 2011 after being diagnosed with stage three melanoma.

Having been told chemotherapy and radiotherapy would not be effective in treating it, the opportunity to join the immunotherapy trial offered her a vital lifeline.

Charlotte received treatment for just over three years and, due to the nature of the new treatment, she only experienced very mild side effects and was able to carry on working.

She said: “Being able to receive treatment and continue to have as normal a life as possible really helped me.”

Now, more than five years later she is cancer-free and taking part in the ABP Southampton 10k so the new centre can continue its immunology research and provide similar treatment to thousands of others through more clinical trials.

Charlotte, who has already raised £1,800 in sponsorship, said: “It’s been amazing to help contribute to the fundraising campaign, not just in raising money but in raising awareness.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has been blown away when I’ve told them about the ground-breaking research that’s happening right on our doorstep in Southampton.”

Charlotte is one of 223 people running to raise money for the Centre for Cancer Immunology.

To find out more about the centre visit www.southampton.ac.uk/youreit and to donate £3 to the fundraising campaign text YOUREIT to 70660.