A HAIRDRESSER who lost her father to cancer is preparing to take part in her first running race this weekend.

Amanda Smith, from Norton, has signed up for the Race for Life in York on Sunday which raises funds for Cancer Research UK.

She said: "My dad John Sollitt died of cancer last year aged 82 just a month after being diagnosed.

"He as a former dray man at Tetley's brewery in Malton and a lot of people knew him in the area. Dad also went swimming twice a week until just before he died."

Amanda, 55, who works at Escape hair salon in Finkle Street, Malton, said she felt she needed to something to help cancer research and signed up for the Race for Life despite 'hating exercise'.

"I have never run in my life and didn't do any exercise but I have been preparing since March following the change for life 'couch to 5 k app' on her phone and jogging round Norton."

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of women-only events raising money for research into all 200 types of cancer.

This weekend sees the Pretty Muddy 5k at York racecourse on Saturday and a 5 and 10k race on Sunday.

Amanda said her husband Mel was going along to support her during the race.

"Everytime I get tired out running I think of people who have cancer who will feel a lot worse than I do and that keeps me going," she added.

"I hope dad would be very proud of me and I also think the would be laughing as he knew how much I hated exercise."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Amanda can do so via justgiving or call at Escape hair salon in Malton.

For more information on the Race for Life go to raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org