BOWEL cancer sufferers and their carers in Darlington are working together to raise awareness of the disease.

Teams of patients and medical staff from Darlington Memorial Hospital will take part in a six-hour sponsored spin, a fast-paced cycling exercise, at the town's Bannatyne's Health Club on Saturday.

The aim is to raise hundreds of pounds for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity, as part of its Loud Tie campaign.

Sufferer Joy Gordon, a mother-of-two, is taking part. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer two-and-a-half years ago and has since been told she also has liver cancer.

"There is great publicity given to breast cancer, but nobody seems to want to talk about bowel cancer," she said.

"It is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and people need to know more about it and how to make sure it is caught in time.

"I have had chemotherapy and an operation and I am very confident right now about my future. I am really excited about this event and how much we can raise."

To sponsor or take part in the event call organiser Clare Westwood on (01325) 743511.