A West Molesey woman who beat cancer will have an extra spring in her step as she prepares to run a half-marathon for charity.

After being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2008, 60-year-old Maggie Hoad is set to tackle a gruelling 13.1 mile course in the Reading half-marathon.

The school secretary will be joined by her two sons James, 29 and Philip, 26, on Sunday, March 21, to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund, part of Cancer Research UK.

Ms Hoad said: “My feet were badly affected by the chemotherapy and, as I was unable to exercise or run, I put on weight. I am determined to get back into training and get fitter again.

“I was told there was a lump in my bowel – it was such a shock. I had the surgery on 10 September 2008 – on the same day as my oldest son’s birthday. The doctors said they had caught it early and it had not spread.”

John Tasker, Cancer Research UK’s senior running manager, said: “We’re delighted that Maggie is part of our team this year.

“It’s thanks to support like this that Cancer Research UK’s scientists, doctors and nurses are able to go on making progress in the fight against cancer.”