Fitness instructor taking part in Wirral's Race For Life in friend's memory

Jenny Carter was diagnosed with breast cancer three years and took part in last year's event in Birkenhead Park despite her deteriorating health.

Jenny sadly died 10 days later - from natural causes rather than the cancer.

Her friend Kay Campbell (pictured, below) teaches aerobics for the council and will among the group taking part in this year's event in Birkenhead Park on Sunday, June 26 in Jenny's memory.

Picture: Geoff Davies

Kay Campbell (right) with friend Jenny Carter during last year's Wirral Race For Life

The 52-year-old from Bebington has done every Wirral Race for Life since it started 14 years ago, having initially signed up to run one Father's Day after losing her beloved father Alan Arthur, 70, to throat and mouth cancer.

Kay, from Bebington said: "After he died I didn’t know what to do with myself.

"I signed up on Father’s Day.

"It was really difficult that year and this just seemed a good way to pay tribute to him.

"He used to take me to Birkenhead Park as a child so it seemed perfect.

"I do every Race for my Dad but over the years I've lost other family and friends to cancer and had some friends overcome cancer so now I do it for them as well."

Kay Campbell takes a break from training for this year's Wirral Race For Life. Picture: Geoff Davies

"This year is going to be particularly emotional because last year I did it with Jenny just before her death."

Kay will be joined by her sisters Alice and Joan, daughter-in-law Kate as well as big crowd of ladies from her aerobics class.

Kay said: "I met Jenny when she started coming to some of my fitness classes.

"We hit it off straight away and became firm friends.

"We'd speak every day. She had illnesses all the time I knew her but she always thought exercise was very important mentally and socially.

"When she was diagnosed with cancer she’d still come and do my aerobics classes – although how she did them I don’t know!

"But she always came with a smile and pushed herself.

"I'd go to her chemotherapy appointments and she'd still laugh and joke and always find something positive out of everything. She was my hero.

"She fought breast cancer for three years before dying of natural causes. She wanted to do Race for Life last year and I said I'd do it with her and help her get round.

"Doing Race for Life was so important to her.

"She struggled with every step but was determined to get round.

"It was only when she saw her son Adam and daughter-in-law Kate at the finish that she cried. She had really pushed herself and was such a strong inspirational friend.

"I miss her so much and I still leave her messages on her Facebook account even now when I want to talk to her!”

The team will also be joined by Kay's great niece, six-year-old Harriet Mcnellis, who has done every Wirral Race for Life since she was born.

Kay added: "We used to push Harriet round in her buggy but now she marches round herself and gets so excited about it.

"That's why we do it for the future generations and to remember those no longer with us."

To register for this year's Wirral Race For Life visit www.raceforlife.org