KINGSBRIDGE Weight Watchers group formed a team to run Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life on the Hoe in Plymouth earlier this month.

The team, named Waist Watchers, has so far raised more than £1,200 for Cancer Research UK, and included two members of South Hams Newspapers’ staff, Melissa Searle and Sam Jackson.

Melissa completed the 5k race in 36 minutes, and Sam, walking with her niece Zoe Lamble, completed the course in 58 minutes.

Melissa said: ‘We’d all like to thank Hannah Baker - the Kingsbridge Weight Watchers leader for all of her support and encouragement throughout the year, and a big thank you to Amanda Baker for organising the event.

‘It was my first time participating in a Race for Life, and despite the weather, we had such a brilliant time!

‘We were all really pleased with our times, and we’ll definitely do it again next year. ‘We’d like to encourage others to do the same - it’s a great day, for such a great cause!’

Sam said: ‘It was my second time taking part in the Race for Life - it’s such a nice atmosphere, and a really great cause.

‘Despite the diabolical weather, it didn’t put anyone off - and we had all had a great time supporting such a worthwhile charity.’

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of women-only events across the country raising money for research into all 200 types of cancer.

Over the past 20 years, more than eight million women have taken part in the races, raising over £547 million to fund the charity’s life-saving work.

In 2016 Cancer Research UK hopes to raise £50 million so that it can keep on fighting until cures for all 200 types of cancer, affecting men, women and children, are found.

To donate money to the Kingsbridge Waist Watchers team, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amandabaker343.