A TEACHER who has beaten breast cancer is to run the Race for Life in Darlington with three pupils in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Marie Bear, 46, of The Oaks Secondary School, in Spennymoor, is running the 5km race on Sunday (June 8) in the South Park

The learning support assistant at the school on Rock Road was diagnosed with breast cancer early last year.

She underwent treatment to battle the illness which she only completed only at the beginning of this month.

Oaks pupils Jade Howe, 14, Lydia Christie, 13, and Chloe Aldworth, 14, will join her at the start line to run the race at 11am.

Mrs Bear, of Spennymoor, said: “After I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was given treatment that lasted for the last year and a half.

“I haven’t done the race before but with what I and the other staff have been through I thought it was an appropriate time to do it.

“I like to keep myself fit and I take the dog for long walks but I’m not a runner. I will probably power walk it and I’m not aiming for any particular time.

“Everyone at the school has been very supportive and brilliant and it should be a nice day.”

Fellow Oaks staff members learning support assistant Susan Tarn, and Margaret Linley, a supervising assistant, were also diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Support assistant Tarn is still receiving treatment for her illness while supervising assistant Linley is waiting to go back to school full-time.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of 5km and 10km women only fundraising events that raise money to help beat cancer.

Thousands of entrants are expected to line up nationally to help tackle the illness at more than 300 events.

Pupils at the Oaks wore sporty or pink clothes at school today (June 6) to help back for Mrs Bear’s fundraising.

Mrs Bear also helps at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, on the Look Good, Feel Better scheme where those with cancer learn make-up tips.

She has already held various fundraising events in the run up to the race and has been helped by her niece Laura Dartnal, 25, of Spennymoor.

Some of the money raised will go to Darlington Memorial Hospital and some of it will go to Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Anyone wanting to sponsor the runners can do so online at justgiving.com/clare-irvine