A DEDICATED fundraiser who suffers from an incurable condition that leaves her barely able to walk is set to take part in the York 10k to help suffers of the disease which robbed her of two husbands.

It will be the second consecutive year that Eileen Rhodes, 86, will line up alongside thousands of runners in the Jane Tomlinson York 10K to raise money for cancer sufferers.

Eileen, of Prior’s Walk, in Poppleton, lost her first husband of 40 years, Jim Smart, in 1983, when he died of prostate cancer.

Two years later, Eileen was remarried, to Cliff Rhodes, only eight weeks after meeting him. But once again she had to deal with losing a husband when he fell ill with leukaemia and died in 1994.

Eileen began fundraising to help cancer sufferers and last year won praise and admiration when she battled her way around the 10K course despite suffering from lymphedema.

The condition causes Eileen’s legs to swell due to the abnormal retention of lymph fluid in her body tissues – and it means she often struggles to walk.

Eileen raised £4,000 for St Leonard’s Hospice, in York, where Cliff spent his final days.

Eileen, who has two daughters, and a grandson, said: “I couldn’t have done it last time without the help of my daughter, Kath, who came with me.

“A friend lent me a pram and I pushed it round with a teddy.

“I couldn’t run it – but I could walk it.”

Now inspirational Eileen is once again set to take part in the Race For All event on August 1 and hopes to raise a similar amount of cash for Jane’s Appeal.

Eileen, who met Jane Tomlinson during a charity event in York, said: “I’m really looking forward taking part in the race again.

“I had to get the permission of my GP and he has given me the go-ahead.

“I’m going to do my best and I have already got several sponsors.

“I admire Jane so much. In spite of having cancer she cycled and ran for charity and raised an enormous amount of money and the Jane’s Appeal carries on the work she did.”

To enter the race, visit runforall.

com