A GROUP of JCB ladies are in the pink as they prepare to raise thousands of pounds for cancer research.
The 20-strong team are limbering up for next week's Race for Life at Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, to raise money for Cancer Research UK. And as a special one-off they will sport eye-catching T-shirts with pink JCB logos.
Among those sporting the colourful clothes on Tuesday, June 29th will be JCB Group Purchasing PA Sue Redding, 54, of Stafford, who has made a full recovery from breast cancer.
Sue said: "I had a mastectomy two years ago and I am constantly reminded of how thankful I am to have survived and want to do everything I can to help others faced with the same situation. I pulled through and want others to as well.
"The Race for Life is a fantastic event and when four of us took part last year we raised more than £2,500. We're hoping to double that amount this year. I would like to thank Brand Addition, who supply JCB with a range of merchandise for the JCB Shop, for helping us in providing the brilliant pink T Shirts."
Sarah Bloor, who works at JCB Compact Products, Cheadle, said: "Everyone knows someone whose lives have been touched by cancer and it's important to do as much as we can to help eradicate this disease. Sue has been an inspiration in how she has tackled her illness and taking part in the Race for Life is a great way of showing our support for her and others in similar situations."
Cancer Research UK organises the annual Race for Life at 230 venues all over the UK in which participants are encouraged to walk, jog or run five kilometres for the world's leading independent charity dedicated to cancer research.
Sue and her team can be sponsored at www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jcbgirls.
Also in Sue's team are Senior Engineer Laura Atkins, 28, of Uttoxeter; Accounts Payable Clerk Lucy Woodward, 23, of Stoke-on-Trent, whose mother died from cancer; Group Buyer Katie Fairchild, 34, of Fradley, near Lichfield; PA to MD of Sales Tina Beech, of Cheadle, whose mum died of cancer in 1981 when Tina was just 15; Financial Accountant Claire Leadbetter, of Uttoxeter 24; Assistant Group Reporting Manager Jo Taylor of Tean, 34; PA to MD of JCB Landpower Alison Brandrick, 29, of Ipstones; Group Buyer Laura Cotter, 30, of Tean, who is taking part in memory of her "wonderful Granddad" who died of prostate cancer; PA to Legal Director Jane Coulson, 47, of Uttoxeter; Accounts Payable Manager Dawn Brian, 44, of Stoke-on-Trent; Treasury Assistant Sue Hewitt, 54 of Trentham; Order Processor Administrator Carly Simmill , 19, of Ipstones, who is taking part in memory of her Granddad who died aged 52, a year before she was born; Sales & Operations Planning Co-ordinator Marie Ginnis, 45, of Armitage, near Rugeley; Retail Manager Julie Holder, 47, of Burton-on-Trent; Group Buyer Janet Matthews; Donna Timmis, 43 of Kingstone and daughter Holly, aged three. Former JCB employees Christine Avigo, of Uttoxeter and Naomi Kelsall of Meir are also taking part.