SHE has already lost one grandmother to cancer and now her second grandmother is also battling the disease.

Sandie McEwan, of Fulford, York, will be running this summer to raise money for the charity that is working to beat the condition once and for all.

The 25-year-old will pull on her running shoes with thousands of other women to take part in the York Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research UK.

She said: "I'm going to be running in memory of my gran, Doreen McEwan, who died from cancer in 2005. She was diagnosed with breast cancer first and had to have her breast removed, but then they discovered she had cancer of the liver as well.

"I'm also running for my other gran, Hilda Smalley, who is having treatment at the moment after finding out she had cancerous cells in her womb. It was a bit of a shock for us all, but she's being really good about it and staying positive."

Sandie, who works as a health care assistant on the children's ward at York Hospital, sees the heartbreak of cancer every day.

She said: "I have seen very young children living life to the full while battling cancer and other life threatening illnesses, and I just want to raise as much money as I can so it can go towards research to help the young and old battle this illness."

Sandie's story has put her in the running to win the coveted 1 or 2 race numbers to wear during the race, which will take place on York's Knavesmire on June 27.

We are asking you to write in with your stories about why you are taking part in the race and together with Cancer Research UK we will select who will wear the two top numbers.

Please send your stories to Lucy Stephens, The Press, York, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, and make sure you specify whether you are taking part in the morning or evening race in York.

Places are still available for the race and anybody who wishes to enter should visit www.raceforlife.org, or phone 08705 134 314.