Teacher Merle Griffiths and her friends at Lidget Green Primary School are a class act when it comes to raising cash for charity.

The 59-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer after a chance visit to a mobile screening unit in 2003, has signed up to take part in this May's Macmillan Cancer Relief's Shipley Stride for her third time.

And she will not be by herself because she is bringing a team of about 20 teaching pals with her to stride out on the 5.5-mile route from Shipley Glen and back.

Merle, who lives in Baildon and is in remission after having a mastectomy, is also hoping to be joined by the school's learning mentor Nina Elphee who was also recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nina, who is 48 and from Wyke, underwent surgery last week and has set a personal goal to get back on the road to recovery and be there at the starting - and finishing - point on Sunday, May 21.

Organisers are keeping their fingers crossed that this year's Shipley Stride will be the biggest and best yet, hoping for 1,000 walkers of all ages on the day.

It will be the second year running that Merle and the Lidget Green team have stepped out together - last year they made about £400.

Her friends from the school decided to join her after being impressed that she and her accountant husband David Griffiths did the walk themselves in 2004 to raise money for the charity so close to their hearts.

Merle said: "It was my friends at school who did a lot of get me back on my feet after being diagnosed, constantly sending me text messages and asking when I was going back to work.

"Three years on and they are still behind me. I'm in remission taking Tamoxifen and feeling good."

Merle and her co-walkers have already been in training for the big day by taking the whole school for walks round Ogden Water.

"If you added up all the miles everyone did it would be the same distance as John O'Groats to Lands End," she said.

"The Shipley Stride is a smashing day out. It's good fun, the atmosphere is brilliant. It's also a good excuse to spend a few hours chin-wagging with your friends."

Last year 700 walkers took part and together raised £20,000. This year organisers want to smash that £20,000 barrier.

This year, the proceeds will go towards specialist nurse training and Macmillan grants for cancer patients.

Last year 227 Bradford people benefited from such grants, totalling £81,326, which can pay for anything from heating bills, hospital parking fees, new clothes for patients who have lost or gained weight, or for much needed breaks away.