A TRAFFORD Council team of runners is gearing up for the BUPA Great Manchester Run on May 18.

They will be tackling the 10k course as part of the Business Challenge. Their joint aim is to raise money for a very worthwhile cause - to purchase a piece of specialist equipment for the Christie.

The cutting-edge Cliniporator machine helps patients at the hospital for whom surgery or radiotherapy is not an option.

Obtaining this piece of equipment will mean the Christie is just one of a handful of hospitals across the country able to offer this option to its patients.

The team includes chief executive Theresa Grant. She said: "I am extremely proud of the huge efforts and enthusiasm being shown by each of our team, irrespective of how they were ‘signed up’.”

The full Trafford Council team is: Theresa Grant, Helen Jones, Sue Sutcliffe, Lisa Travis, Kate Sturman, Lisa Hooley, Joanne Hyde, Catherine Hay, Jacqui Buckley, Deborah Lucas, Gavin Hyde, Craig Holt, Karl Kerman, Jon Higgins, Lucy Boubrahmi, Adrian Leach, Kerry Bourne, Mark Hughes, Simon Hartley, Jonathan Wood and Graeme Bentley.

While each has their own reason for taking part to support such a worthy cause, they are all united in their efforts and determination to succeed.

Lisa Travis has a very personal reason for wanting to raise money for the Christie.

"My 20-year-old niece was a patient at the Young Oncology Unit a couple of years ago.

“She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma on her 18th birthday in December 2011 and after getting her head around the fact that she had cancer, she had to go through a very intensive round of chemo and radiotherapy treatment, resulting in complete hair loss and bouts of intense sickness.

“This type of cancer is one of the most treatable and fortunately for Rachel, the doctors caught it quite early. She was definitely one of the lucky ones and has proved to be a true survivor. Thanks to the fantastic dedication and intensive treatment received from all the team at The Christie, she is now all clear of the cancer two years on. Some of her fellow patients at the Christie were not so lucky and she has unfortunately lost some of the very good friends that she made whilst going through her treatment.

“Because of this, she continues to raise money herself for the Young Oncology Unit to say thanks for taking such good care of her and she is scheduled to climb Ben Nevis in May 2014, with all the proceeds going to the Christie."

To support the Trafford Council team’s efforts go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/traffordcouncilrunning.

Alternatively, to donate by cheque or cash, contact Kate Sturman on 0161 912 4326.