A RETIRED school teacher who beat cancer could give lessons in selflessness.

Sylvia Kimbrey, of West Stafford, is marking a milestone birthday this summer by running the Race for Life and throwing a party in aid of cancer patients.

The former non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sufferer, 59, will team up with good pal Ann Coletta to hold a fundraising bash for the Fortuneswell Unit at Dorset County Hospital and breast cancer charity Breakthrough.

Dorchester resident Ann, who will be turning 65, beat breast cancer 13 years ago. The former neighbours helped each other through their respective illnesses.

They made the decision to hold the party on August 8 at Dorchester Football Club during one of their regular walks. Sylvia said: “We go for a walk together every Tuesday. We’re both ex-Londoners and we’ve stayed good friends since we moved apart.”

Sylvia and Ann, a doctor’s receptionist, have requested that they receive donations for their chosen causes instead of gifts.

Ex-Milborne St Andrew First School teacher Sylvia said: “When I had cancer, the staff at the unit were so good. This isn’t a lot to give back when they have saved your life.”

Flamboyant pink skirts will single out Sylvia and her family from the rest of the pack on Sunday as they take on the Race for Life challenge.

Her two daughters Clara and Amy Burgess and her daughter-in-law Rachel Burgess will join Sylvia to help her raise around £400 for Cancer Research UK.

Sylvia said: “When I found out I had cancer I got on and dealt with it because my daughter-in-law was pregnant and it was a real incentive to get better.

“Now I’ve retired from teaching I have more time to spend with my four grandchildren, who have all been born since I survived cancer four years ago.”

Thoughts of Sylvia’s big sister will also be with her as she makes her way around the Kingston Maurward course.

Doreen Taylor, 67, has just been diagnosed with secondary bone cancer after a seven year battle with breast cancer.

Sylvia said: “I think that cancer has got it in for my family.

“I want to raise this money not only for the people who have cancer but to help the families of those people because I think it’s harder for the family themselves.”