A GROUP of Durham netballers are calling on women across the region to fight dirty to help fund life-saving research.

Meadowfield Ladies Club are highlighting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Pretty Muddy event at Newcastle's Town Moor on Saturday July 9.

The event is a women-only, non-competitive obstacle course – with lashings of mud.

Lead by coach Heather Buckle, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, the women posed with bright pink t-shirts, mud and a cargo net to encourage women to enter Race for Life Pretty Muddy, 5k and 10k events.

Heather, 51, of Old Shotton, Peterlee, was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in her right breast.

Fortunately it was detected early and a lumpectomy was scheduled very quickly and then underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Speaking about her treatment Heather said: “I have no doubt that I would not be here if it were not for the research carried out into cancer.

“Thanks to research I was able to beat cancer and show that it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Now I’m able to live life to the full and do something that I love.

"Meadowfield Ladies Club and England Netball are determined to support others by raising money for Cancer Research UK and help more people like me survive.”

For more information about Meadowfield Ladies Netball Club visit www.durhamnetball.co.uk. To enter Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.