THESE three York women have something very special to celebrate - and they want to share it.

This summer, Christine Gallacher, Val Walton and Rose Ward, all members of Acorn ARLFC Rugby Club, will notch up five years of being cancer-free.

To celebrate, and give something back to the services that helped save their lives, all three are training for York Race For Life.

The Acorn Angels, a team of 19 Acorn ARLFC Rugby Club members aged between eight and 60, will walk the three-mile course around Knavesmire on July 14.

It is hoped some 5,000 women will take part in the York Race For Life, which is supported by the Evening Press. The aim is to raise £270,000 for Cancer Research UK, which would set an all-time high for the York event.

Club treasurer Christine, 46, of Beckfield Lane, who battled against breast cancer, said they were all looking forward to the challenge.

"We thought it would be a good way of giving something back," she said. "The Cancer Care Centre at York was great, the staff were brilliant there, very supportive. We've only just started training and we'll all be walking the course."

Val, 60, of Woodthorpe, a cleaner at the club, has been free of breast cancer for five years. Rose, also 60, a social member, is now clear of ovarian cancer.

"We all celebrated in different ways," said Christine. "I definitely celebrated when I finished my treatment, it was such a relief."

Entry to Race For Life 2004 costs £8.50 (or £5 for girls under 18), which covers administration costs and means every pound raised in sponsorship goes to vital life-saving research.

Enter via the website www.raceforlife.org, or the telephone hotline on 08705 134 314.

Postal entries to: Race for Life, PO Box 50, Crawley, RH10 9WA. Entry forms are also available from Cancer Research UK shops, Tesco stores, fitness and leisure centres, libraries or by calling the hotline number. It is recommended that anyone under 16 is accompanied by an adult.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, June 29, 2004