TALLY HO staff in Kingsbridge are preparing for a special ‘snowflake’ ten kilometre run in memory of one of their coach drivers, Michael Williams, who lost his battle with cancer in November.

The nine colleagues will be tackling fake snow and polar bears in the grounds of Saltram House in Plympton for the Cancer Research UK snowflake run on Sunday, February 21 - and have already raised £500 for the charity.

Michael’s widow Janet Williams, will be joining the group along with her son, Lee, sister Karen and her husband Andrew and nephew Drew as well as other members of her family.

Janet said: ‘Michael lost his battle with cancer on November 17. He was 59 and we never thought we would lose him. He would be both proud and humbled at us for taking part in this run and I am sure he would be excited for us in taking part.

‘We were married for 29 years and we never thought it would happen as he had been treated for kidney cancer and things seemed to be OK once the tumour was removed.

‘He was looking forward to going back to work and driving a new coach the company had just bought, but then just two days out of hospital Michael was taken back in again as he was in a lot of pain. We were told that three tumours had been found on his liver and shock waves are all that we felt.

‘The impact as a family is awful and it can be a very dark place when you are faced with a terminal diagnosis. But I know Michael would be proud of us as he was so brave and had much dignity in his fight with this awful disease.’

Tour manager Helen Chapman fondly remembers the dedication and joy Mike gave to so many holidaymakers: ‘Mike was such a positive person and he worked for Tally Ho Holidays for 11 years as a coach driver. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he continued to work and we all thought he would overcome this awful disease.

‘Sadly that wasn’t to be so his friends and colleagues wanted to do something in his memory and to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, which funds vital research into all cancers.’

The new event is part of the Cancer Research UK Winter Run Series. It encourages people to keep running throughout the winter by taking on a 10k challenge, whilst raising money for research to help beat 200 types of cancer.

Participants can expect the grounds of Saltram House to be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring falling snow and hugs from friendly ‘polar bears’ on the finish line, providing an added incentive to conquer the cold for Cancer Research UK.

Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK’s event organiser for Devon, said: ‘Every day, 84 people in the South West are diagnosed with cancer, so we need as many people as possible to sign up.

‘Cancer never sleeps, so we need people to sign up now to brave the elements for Cancer Research UK. They will be able to bask in the knowledge that they’re raising vital funds for research, which is helping more men, women and children in the region and across the UK survive.’

Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and more supporters are needed to help beat cancer sooner.

Ruth continued: ‘Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. One in two of us in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in our lives. And that’s why we urgently need people to enter the Plymouth snowflake run.

‘Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we fund, the sooner that day will come.’

To donate money to the Tally Ho! team, telephone 01548 854067.

To enter the Cancer Research UK Plymouth snowflake run yourself, visit snowflakeseries.co.uk.