THEY are one determined bunch of females in Newsome ...

Two dozen of them, with one goal - to complete the Race For Life.

And whether they have to run or walk the course in Greenhead Park, all of them plan to get to the finish line, to help cancer research.

The team from Newsome High School and Sports College is one of the biggest taking part in the charity run in June.

And team organiser Lynne Blackburn says: "They're all determined to do it.

"Some of us are going to run it, others will walk, but we'll all give it our best shot."

Mrs Blackburn, the school's ethnic minorities achievement co-ordinator, was pleasantly surprised when she set about recruiting colleagues for the race.

She says: "I was amazed at how enthusiastic people were.

"We've got a mixture of teachers and support staff, aged from 25 to 54 and, to be honest, a few of us are rather on the large side.

"But they have buckled down well to the training. We have the use of the school's superb fitness suite on Monday evenings and have been working in the sports hall, and everyone is working hard.

"Our office manager, Wendy Jackson, has joined the team and she is busy whipping up enthusiasm and sponsorship.

"Now we hope we can attract backing from local businesses to support our efforts".

The Newsome team will be lining up on June 17 for the race in Greenhead Park.

A second race takes place on Sunday, June 18, and 5,000 Huddersfield women are expected to take part over the weekend. It is the seventh time Race For Life has been held in Huddersfield and tens of thousands of pounds will be raised.

The Newsome team are confident of doing their bit and certainly won't lack motivation.

Mrs Blackburn said: "A lot of us have personal experience of people who have had or who have cancer."

* For further details on Race for Life, log on to www.raceforlife.org or ring the Race hotline on 08705 134 314.