A WOMAN who has signed up for this year's Race for Life will be raising cash in memory of her brother who died of cancer two weeks after diagnosis.

Rosie Nippard from Dorchester and her father 87-year-old Brian Read from Powerstock, who is a bowel cancer survivor, will join the 5k Race for Life in her brother’s memory at Baiter Park in Poole on May 14.

Giles Read who grew up in Powerstock, was diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer and passed away in March aged 56, leaving behind his wife, son and daughter.

Mrs Nippard, 50, said: "I’ve taken part in Race for Life for around 20 years but this year it’s all about my brother Giles.

"He had been suffering stomach pains and feeling full but put it down to Crohn’s disease and colitis that he was diagnosed with as a teenager.

"His GP referred him to A&E and sadly he was told he had oesophageal cancer which had spread to his liver.

"The speed at which it all happened has been a terrible shock but I’m thankful dad and I got to see him before he died.

"We’ll both be walking for him at Poole Race for Life and remembering my mum who beat breast cancer in her lifetime."

Also taking part will be Rosie’s husband Russell, his brother-in-law Malcolm Sturgess, 77, niece Tracey Malloch from Poole, her husband Andy and their son Calum, 11.

Every year around 5,500 people are diagnosed with cancer in Dorset and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.

Money raised at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.

Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the south west, said: "It’s very moving as Rosie lost her brother Giles to cancer two weeks after he was diagnosed – they’ve not even had the funeral yet.

"Her dad Brian is also a bowel cancer survivor and will be walking for Giles too.

"We're incredibly grateful to Rosie and all her family for their support. Sadly, their lives have been touched by cancer in many ways.

"As the four generations of their family join together to Race for Life next month, they’ll be playing their part to fund research today and also help beat cancer for future generations."