A WOMAN whose sister, mum and aunt all had breast cancer, and whose uncle who died of leukaemia, is bouncing herself ten miles on a mini trampoline to raise money for Cancer Research.

Anna Stephens was hoping to take part in the Middlesbrough’s Race for Life again this year but the event is one of 400 across the UK that have been cancelled due to restrictions on mass gatherings caused by Covid-19.

Undeterred, Mrs Stephens has completed a Race for Life at Home challenge at home and continued to raise money.

The 52-year-old, who works at IRIS Software Group in Stockton, set herself a challenge to bounce the equivalent of ten miles on a mini trampoline in her living room.

“Unfortunately I’m all too aware of cancer and have seen far too many friends and family affected, including my sister, mum and aunt who have all had breast cancer and my uncle who died of leukaemia,” the mum-of-one said.

“My husband also lost his mum to cancer in her early forties and we’ve many friends who have had it too.

“It’s ridiculous really just how many people we have seen go through this awful disease, so it didn’t take much convincing for me to sign up to Race for Life at Home and help continue the fundraising.”

Mrs Stephens, who has fundraised for many years, visited the charity’s labs in Newcastle to see the work researchers are doing to find kinder treatments and a cure.

She added: “I like doing what I can to support the charity and having seen the labs and hear directly from the scientists about the work they do and their passion for helping people I will continue to do whatever I can at home to support their work.

“My sister Kate is now in her eleventh year of treatment for breast cancer, which is allowing her to live with this disease, but more work is needed to find a cure.”

It took the woman two-and-a-half hours to bounce the distance, raising £180 in the process.

She said: “It wasn’t the easiest thing to do and I struggled to walk afterwards but it was worth it to do my bit. I hope it encourages others to think outside the box and do whatever they can to help. It can be fun to think up something new to do rather than a regular 5k run.”

Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25 per cent in the next financial year as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North East, said: “We remain tirelessly committed to making progress for people affected by cancer but now more than ever, support from the public will be vital. We simply will not be able to continue funding our life-saving work without it.

“Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised over £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.

“We hope the Race for Life event series will be back bigger and stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime, we’d love to invite people to follow Anna’s lead and join us by taking part in Race for Life at Home.”