A WOMAN who has already swam 200 lengths for a cancer charity will also be running the Race for Life.

Dee Hymas, 52, of Wyke Regis, said she wanted to complete the run for all the women in her life who have suffered with cancer, but that she also wanted to do something for all the men in her life.

Mrs Hymas completed the swim for those male relatives at Weymouth Swimming Pool last Sunday and she will be taking on the challenging run at Kingston Maurward this weekend.

The swim was completed in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care while the Race for Life supports Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Hymas said: “I lost my dad to cancer four years ago and I lost my brother Derek in February.

“Other family members including my other brother, Paul and my brother-in-law, Ray, also suffer with cancer.

“Cancer has been quite prevalent in the family among the women too, including my Auntie Alice.

“I’m doing the swim for all the men in my life and the run for all the women in my life.”

She added: “Everyone seems to be affected by cancer now and it’s something we all need to be aware of.

“You never know what’s around the corner and I think it’s something everyone should try and raise funds for so that the facilities are available when people do need them.”

Mrs Hymas said she was hoping to raise £500 from completing the swim and £100 from completing the Race for Life.

She added: “What I have done is turned something negative into something positive.

“Doing that has helped me to deal with it.

“I’ve bought badges for each person I’m swimming or running for, for example a guitar badge for my brother Paul because he loves music.

“I’ll be attaching those to my t-shirt when I run the Race for Life and I’ll be thinking of all of them.”

To sponsor Mrs Hymas contact her on 07713132813 or visit Craftlines in Westham Road, Weymouth, which is Dee’s workplace where you will find a collection box.