A MUM of three who beat cancer will be joined by 150 work colleagues for Wirral's Race for Life next month.

Debbie Layfield and fellow staff from Bidston Moss Tesco plan to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK by taking part in the Globe-backed event on Sunday, June 28.

They also plan to hold a fun day at the store the day before (Saturday, June 27) to boost funds.

The fun-day will include a cake stall, tombola, face-painting, balloons and fancy dress – with store manager Steve Oliver due to dress up as the Race for Life pink gorilla.

Debbie, aged 50, a Community Champion at Bidston Moss Tesco, was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2009, and treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

She Race for Life every year since and the fundraising around the event has grown each year too.

Looking ahead to taking part again, Debbie said: "I was six-years all clear in March but Race for Life is always an emotional event.

“When I did Race for Life the first year it was during my treatment and I used to have to stop and hide behind the trees so I could take my wig off because I got so hot! I didn’t want anyone to see me without my hair.

“I want people who are having chemo at the moment to know what it can be like afterwards.

Some days they might not be able to climb those stairs and some days I know I couldn’t get out of bed sometime - but look at me now. It does get better!

“When you are going through your treatment you can’t always see what next year is going to bring and I want to show other people going through what I’ve been through that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I hope people will dig deep and support this great cause.”

Debbie will be running with daughters Sarah, 30, Laura, 18, and eight-year-old granddaughter Honey. Husband Tony and son Anthony, 15, will cheer them on.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK’s North West spokeswoman, said: "We are urging women in Merseyside to sign up to Race for Life. The feel-good factor that comes from being part of an army of women ready to show cancer who’s boss will last long after the event is over.

"Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast.

"The reality on the day is that participants of all shapes, sizes and ages generate an electric energy as they unite in their determination to defeat cancer."

So far 1,742 women have signed up for the Wirral Race For Life event. To join them visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.