FIVE women from the Daily Echo will be stepping out onto Bournemouth seafront this week to take part in Race for Life in memory of a very special friend.

Motors and property manager Annette Geyser will be joined by Donna Garner, Nikki Enock, Gemma Ball and Jane Toomer to take part in the 10km women-only event on Sunday June 17 in the name of former colleague Julie Ritchie Evans.

Julie, who worked in the advertising department as a motors field sales rep, lost her battle against breast cancer two years ago.

She was diagnosed in 2005 and told that without treatment she had no more than 12 weeks to live.

Julie underwent treatment and was also given the ‘wonder drug’ Herceptin. With strength and determination she fought the illness for five years before losing her battle with the disease in March 2010. Annette said: “Julie was a larger than life character who was not only beautiful to look at but also a beautiful person.

“She had amazing strength of character and was a very determined person. She was someone you were proud to have as a friend.”

To sponsor Team Julie visit raceforlifesponsorme.org/daily-echo.

There are still places left for the two afternoon events on Sunday June 17 and the afternoon event in Poole Park on Sunday June 24.

To enter log onto www.raceforlife.org, call 0871 641 1111 or visit our special Race for Life section at bournemouthecho.co.uk l Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Daily Echo on Monday to get your copy of our eight-page Race for Life supplement featuring the names of all those taking part and pictures from the day.