A FAMILY which has been blighted by cancer is hoping to raise thousands for charities providing hospice care in peoples’ own homes and support for cancer victims.

Les and Tina Race from Welbury, Northallerton, are staging a “C it Off” charity evening on July 4 in aid of Herriot Hospice Homecare and Macmillan.

The evening, which is already a 570-seat sell-out, will include live music and dancing, hog roast, bar, raffle and a silent/live auction.

The couple started their fund-raising after three of their own family – including Les himself – were hit by cancer.

Les had surgery to remove prostate cancer, his younger brother Malcolm has inoperable cancer of the lung ad Les and Tina’s daughter Nick, who lives in Australia, also has a rare form, of cancer.

Tina said: “Our first ‘C it Off’ evening two years ago raised an amazing £18,000 which will be very hard to beat but whatever the outcome, it will certainly raise a substantial sum to help support these two amazing charities.

“It is particularly pleasing to support a local charity like Herriot Hospice Homecare as we know that every penny we raise for them will be reinvested back into their work in Hambleton and Richmondshire.”

Any local businesses/organisations who would like to contribute to the event, either by donating a raffle/auction prize or contributing services/products, can contact Tina Race on 07764 226812 or 01609 882615.