A MOTHER and daughter who have both battled breast cancer are to launch a fund raising ‘Relay for Life’ event.

Teams of fund raisers will join them in will embarking on a 24 hour relay around the track at Middlesbrough Sports Village in an event organised by Cancer Research UK.

Lynn Hodgson, 58, from Thornaby, Teesside, survived a breast cancer diagnosis she received at her very first mammogram.

Her mother Dorothy Gray, 83, from Stockton, has also come through treatment to beat the disease three times.

The relay, tomorrow (Saturday, September 16), is expected to raise upwards of £30,000 for research into the disease.

Lynn Hodgson, who has helped organised aspects of the event, said: “It’s been truly inspirational working and talking with other survivors and their families.

“This event celebrates their lives and sadly those who can no longer be with us today.”

The relay will culminate at 8pm with a ‘Candle of Hope’ ceremony remembering all those suffering from and who have lost their battle with cancer.

There will also be the opportunity for visitors to decorate and light candle bags in memory of loved ones.

Jonathan Chambers, chairman of the Tees Valley Cancer Research UK committee, said: “Relay for Life is truly a community fundraising event that allows vital funding to be directed towards the work being conducted by Cancer Research UK in the North-East.

“More importantly it brings together those affected by cancer to fight back. Our plans are to grow and develop Relay for Life so it becomes a mainstay in Teesside for years to come.”