They spend their days nursing cancer patients and experiencing at first hand the devastation the disease can cause.

Now nine nurses who work on Ward 19 at Bradford Royal Infirmary are turning their attention to raising money to stop the disease in its tracks.

The team are busy collecting sponsorship for a Dales trek to raise thousands of pounds for the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can... Cancer Research Appeal.

The 21-mile walk on Sunday, June 16 has been organised by Bradford Rotary Club to give a boost to the life-saving appeal.

Walkers meet at Bolton Abbey at 7am and are taken by bus to the starting point in Buckden. Following the path of the River Wharfe, they make their way back to Bolton Abbey.

There are four check points along the way where walkers can stop if they wish to.

Registered nurse Sylvia Coleman said: "The ward that we work on deals with skin cancer and large head and neck cancer.

"Apart from working to look after these patients, we see the impact it has on families. Also most of us have had close family and friends who have been affected by cancer, so we wantto do our bit."

Sylvia has a strong track record in charity fundraising after taking an active part in ollecting cash for the T&A-backed Millennium Scanner Appeal, which raised £1 million.

Now they are hoping to make a real difference again with the help of their bosses, who have made sure all the nurses have the day off to take part in the walk.

"We have sponsor forms on the ward so people can sponsor us as a team," said Sylvia, who has rallied the support of four family members.

"We are also collecting sponsors as individuals, as every penny counts."

Anyone who wants to take part in the walk should contact the Bradford Can...Appeal office on (01274) 235482 or Phillip Sharp on (01274) 724265 for a registration form. The closing date is June 9 and the entry fee is £9.50 per walker.

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