STAFF from a Poole school will be taking part in Race for Life in memory of a very special lady.

The team of 27 teachers, teaching assistants and office staff from Canford Heath First School – known as Dee’s Divas – will step out at Poole Park on Sunday, June 24 for former colleague Dee Bayliss.

Race for Life champion Dee died in April following a five-year battle with cancer.

Dee, who lived in Poole with husband Chris and their children James, 24, and Sarah, 22, worked as a teaching assistant at the school for children with special needs for 14 years. She was forced to make the difficult decision to leave in July 2010 due to her illness and speaking of her job there, Dee said: “I loved it with such a passion I would have done it for nothing.”

Dee was supposed to take part in the Poole Race for Life this year but now the Dee’s Divas will take her place.

Chris will also take to the stage to encourage people to return their sponsorship.

Jeanette Harvey, admin officer at Canford Heath First School, said: “It was her wish to run in Race for Life this year and she had already got her number. So we thought we would race in her place and in her memory.

“Dee was bubbly and full of fun. She was very upbeat and always had a good word to say to people. She was never down and was always very positive.”

To sponsor Dee’s Divas visit raceforlifesponsorme.org/dees-divas

Places available

There are still places available for the 2pm 5km and 10km races along Bournemouth seafront on Sunday, June 17 and the 2pm race in Poole Park on Sunday, June 24.

To sign to Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0871 6411111. Also visit our special Race for Life section at bournemouthecho.co.uk