GAZETTE & HERALD: TWO Chippenham mums who lost their courageous battles with cancer will be remembered this weekend when their colleagues from Focus DIY run the Race for Life for Cancer Research UK in their memory.

Workmates Sue Richardson, 43, and Lynne Morris, 50, died within a year of each other, but friends hope to keep their memories alive by taking part in Saturday's event at Lydiard Park, Swindon.

Mrs Richardson's best mate Gerri Small, and Mrs Morris's closest friend Diane Hunt, are part of a 14-strong team of women hoping to cross the finish line.

Mrs Small, of Pipsmore Road, Chippenham, said: "I want to do this for Sue and I will be running with her photo on my back. She was a wacky, thoughtful, caring person who would do anything for anyone.

"She had breast cancer and died on Valentine's Day last year, almost two years to the day since she found out she had cancer."

Mrs Richardson, who lived with her partner Rob Sartain on London Road, Chippenham, left four children.

"I met Sue when I started working here in 1988 and we clicked straight away," said Mrs Small, 37.

"We became best friends and I know she'll be looking down on us on Saturday."

Mrs Morris went into hospital with throat problems, and doctors thought she had pneumonia. They didn't discover she was suffering from throat cancer until they performed a post mortem examination.

She lived in Loyalty Street, Chippenham, with her partner Brian Baker and left two children, Gareth Powell and Teresa French.

Mr Powell, 32, said she was an amazing mother and grandmother.

"It was a huge shock to us all when she died," said Mr Powell. "It happened so quickly one minute she went into hospital with pneumonia and two weeks later she was dead. We had no idea it was cancer.

"Mum was very, very well-liked by everyone she met. She always put others first and herself second.

"Luckily she knew my son Adam, her first grandson, before she died.

"He was one of the best things in her life and always put a smile on her face. Everyone really misses her."

He said Mrs Hunt, 54, was extremely close to his mum and thought it was wonderful she was running in her memory.

"I want to thank Diane and everyone else very much, it means a lot to me," said Mr Powell.

Mrs Hunt, who is Saturday's team captain, said she met Mrs Morris 16 years ago.

She said: "We bonded straight away," she said.

"I wanted to do something for her and everyone else who is fighting cancer. Anything we can do to stop this awful disease is worth it."

Store manager Nigel Griffin said he was proud of his staff and supported them 100 per cent.

"Even though I didn't know Sue or Lynne I am very aware of how close all the women were," he said.

"It's wonderful that they are doing something positive and taking part in the Race for Life."

The race starts in Lydiard Park, Swindon at 2pm on Saturday.