Two caring members of The Nottingham’s Mansfield team will swap business wear for running gear to participate in a 5k race after being inspired by a colleague’s cancer battle.

Building society customer adviser Izabella Zygmunt right) and estate agency sales negotiator Julie Croucher left) will take part in the Mansfield 5k – of which The Nottingham are a sponsor – on Sunday, 17th September to fundraise for Cancer Research.

They entered after a colleague, Laura Barratt, was diagnosed with cancer for the second time – having previously had another variant of the illness when she was two.

Laura, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, had three kidney transplants to deal with the previous cancer, but has now has a form of lymphoma in her pelvic area.

Izabella said: “It has been well publicised what Laura is going through and how courageous and positive she is being at what must be a very traumatic time.

“She is an inspiration to us all so we couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Julie and I had been talking about what we could do for some time and then when the company we work for became one of the sponsors of the race it became an obvious choice.

“Both Julie and I like to keep active but running organised races is not our thing at all, so we are hoping our kind-hearted customers, as well as family and friends, will give generously so we can raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research.

“Running 5k will be a challenge for us both, but it is nothing compared to the fight and spirit Laura shows every day as she battles cancer. She is truly incredible.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor Izabella and Julie can pop into the branch on Stockwell Gate or donate online via www.justgiving.com/Izabella-Zygmunt