AFTER losing four members of her family to cancer last year, Julie Channel was determined to take part in Southampton's Race for Life event.

She wanted to celebrate their lives and try to salvage something positive after such a difficult year.

Julie, who works at Rock Bottom Toys in the Bargate Centre, told her colleagues that she planned to take part in the 5km event on Southampton Common on July 17 - and she was delighted with their response.

"It was a very difficult year. I lost my father-in-law Arthur Channel, my uncles Peter Mason and Colin Timbrell as well as my husband's uncle Harry Channel.

"They all died from cancer and I wanted to take part in Race for Life in their memory," she said.

"When I told my colleagues what I wanted to do they said they would support me and they wanted to take part too - even our bosses have signed up," she said.

All the places for this year's event were taken in record time and 10,000 women will be putting their best foot forward.

Julie's team (pictured) will be wearing pink cowboy hats with tiaras and they hope to raise up to £3,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The Daily Echo has launched a campaign to encourage every woman taking part to raise up to £100 each - and make it a million pounds donation from the city.

Race organiser Karina Morgan said: "The support that the people of Southampton have shown Cancer Research UK's Race for Life over the years is truly amazing.

"We want to raise £500,000 from the race but the Daily Echo's bid to double that figure will be simply amazing. This will help towards finding a cure for cancer quicker."

LET US KNOW - We want to feature many of your stories and pictures in the run-up to the event and want to hear from teams as well as individuals. Call Kate Thompson on 023 8042 4761 or e-mail her using the link above.