A teacher's battle with breast cancer has inspired a team of 34 colleagues, parents and friends to tackle the Race for Life.

The women from High Crags Primary School, in Shipley, decided to take on the three-mile run on Sunday in Lister Park, Bradford, after being moved by Elaine Atkinson's experiences with the disease.

Year Two teacher and literacy co-ordinator Mrs Atkinson, 49, from Ilkley, was diagnosed with the condition last November and has faced a mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy. She started a three-week course of radiotherapy yesterday.

Her positive outlook throughout the condition, which has meant she has been unable to work, has inspired her colleagues to take part in the event.

Head teacher Gill Roberts said: "All of us have been touched by cancer through family and friends. This is our way of doing our bit towards fighting it."

The team, organised by nursery teacher Joyce Wood, grew and grew until there are now 30 members of staff and parents taking part, and four children, including four-year-old Chloe Snowden.

Mrs Atkinson said that she had been moved to tears by her colleagues' efforts.

The staff are also running for a colleague's husband, Tony Mather, who is currently in remission.

Twenty-six employees from the Peel Centre Tesco on Canal Road are also taking part in Race For Life. A spokesman from the store said: "A big group of staff is taking part and we have all been training very hard. It has been a real challenge but it will be worth it to raise money for such a good cause."

They will be just some of the 1,500 runners taking part in the Race for Life which is one of a series of women-only races held all over the UK in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Last year 1,200 people took part in the Bradford race and raised more than £68,000 for the charity. Entries to the race, which starts at 11am in Lister Park, are now closed.