A WOMAN who has battled her way back from cancer, a heart bypass and a hip replacement is putting on her running shoes for charity.

Elaine Green, 63, of Quarmby, will be taking part in the Race For Life in June.

The mother-of-two has entered the five-kilometre event to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer last August.

Elaine, who lives on Quarmby Road, has already endured a triple heart bypass in 1997 and a hip replacement in 2000.

Now, after undergoing surgery to remove a lump from her breast and a course of radiotherapy she is fighting fit again.

She said: "People have always said I think very positively.

"Sometimes out of bad things, good things happen. You have to be positive."

Elaine puts her good attitude down to exercise.

She said: "After my bypass operation they told me to walk a lot. So I did; every day, even in winter.

"Doctors have told me that exercise is good for everything, even depression.

"It makes you feel good in yourself and stops you thinking about the awful things."

Elaine now takes part in exercise classes three times a week at Huddersfield Sports Centre and the Deighton Centre which are designed for people with health conditions.

She said: "I belong to Heartline and Pals.

"It is a morbid thing being ill, but it helps when you meet people in similar circumstances.

"Life does not stop when you have these things.

"You just have to think positive."

Elaine, who had registered to walk the race - to be held in Greenhead Park at Gledholt on June 18 and 19 - is now considering jogging it.

Anybody interested in sponsoring her is asked to phone her on 01484 461412.