When teenager Sophie Anderson takes part in the Race for Life this year, she will have one thing on her mind – her father.
It will be the third time she has taken part in the annual fund-raiser for Cancer Research UK in honour of dad Jim, who died two years ago after a 21-month battle with lung cancer.
Sophie, 16, is still coming to terms with the loss, but wants to take part in Race for Life to support other people who have been affected by the disease.
"I still find it really difficult to talk about it. I don't think you ever really get over something like this," said Sophie, a student at John Cleveland College, in Hinckley. "Taking part in the Race for Life is way of giving something back.
"It's really special being there with everyone else and knowing that you aren't the only one going through this."
Organisers are hoping up to 12,000 women will take part in one of five Race for Life events in Leicestershire this summer.
Sophie's dad, Jim, from Burbage was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2004.
He appeared to make a good recovery after doctors removed a large tumour.
But three years later, in 2007, doctors discovered he had lung cancer which was inoperable.
Despite the devastating diagnosis, he tried to carry on as normal with the family business, fitting kitchens and bedrooms. He died in 2009.
When Sophie first took part in Race for Life, in 2008, with her two older sisters, Zoe and Kate, her dad was there to cheer them on.
This year, Sophie will be taking part with a teacher who helped her cope with her father's death. She is hoping to raise at least �100.
"I would encourage anyone to take part," said Sophie.
"It's a proper adrenalin rush when you see all the people there and you know you aren't going through things alone.
"It's a great experience."
Sophie is taking part in one of the 5km races being held in Leicester's Western Park on Sunday, July 10.
Cheering her on from the sidelines will be mum Maura, 56.
She said: "It makes us very proud that Sophie is doing the race and still continuing the fight to raise money for charity to help those affected by cancer."
The family are no strangers to fund-raising.
Over the past three years, they have raised about �30,000 for Macmillan, and last year Sophie and her mum backed the Leicester Mercury campaign to raise �50,000 for the Laura Centre, in Leicester, which provides bereavement counselling.
If you are taking part in Race for Life this year and have a poignant story to tell, we would like to hear from you.
Contact Cathy Buss, health correspondent, on 0116 222 4261, or e-mail:
catherinebuss@leicester mercury.co.uk.
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