A SPORTING cancer survivor is looking forward to raising hundreds of pounds towards research into the illness by running in Bolton's Race for Life.

Mary O'Loughlin, aged 57, is planning to run the race of just over three miles on Sunday, June 22, in Leverhulme Park with a group of her tennis playing pals in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The mum-of-two was inspired to take part following her own personal fight with the disease.

Two-and-a-half years ago she he was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram detected a lump in her breast.

Mary then had to undergo a mastectomy. Thankfully, after the operation she did not need further treatment and has been free from cancer since, although she still has to go for yearly check-ups.

Retired nurse Mary, of Fernclough, Bolton, said: "I was just determined cancer would not stop me from doing sport. I was back playing tennis about two months after the mastectomy. I think that's one of the answers -- staying positive."

Today, Mary, who used to run a play school at Church Hall in Markland Hill, is involved with a wide variety of sports and has a range of different interests.

She plays tennis and squash, goes horse riding, does a lot of walking and is even a bell ringer.

About 15 of Mary's friends, who are mostly fellow tennis players at the Markland Hill Tennis Club in Victoria Road, will be running with her. She has already raised about £200 in sponsorship.

Mary said, some of the women aged between 40 and 65, are planning to walk the Race, as it is a non-competitive event.

Cancer Research UK's Race for life, sponsored by Tesco, is a unique series of 5 km events across the UK, where women walk or run together to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK to help cure cancer faster.

As 2003 marks the 10th anniversary of Race for Life, organisers are hoping to raise an unprecedented £17.5 million for Cancer Research UK's vital work.