A North Yorkshire woman has once again helped to raise thousands of pounds to help fight cancer in the region.

Jane Potter helped to organise yesterday's sponsored six-mile cross-country run around York University and for the less adventurous there was a shortened three-mile run.

More than 80 runners joined in the Terry Fox Run, now in its ninth year in York, which has over the years raised more than £12,000 for research projects being undertaken by the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit at the university.

Jane, who lives near Malton, became involved in the event which originated in Canada through her aunt, Breeda McClew, who is the international director for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Jane said: "We are hoping to have raised at least £1,500 for charity.

"It really was a great success and a fantastic sunny day. There were lots of smiling faces and lots of feeling of achievement. It's a happy event especially as it's for something worthwhile."

There are also two other Terry Fox runs in England, a number in Ireland and similar events all over the world, which every year all help to raise millions of pounds for cancer charities.

Jane stresses that although there is a Canadian connection with the charity run, all of the funds raised are spent in Yorkshire.

The runs are held in memory of a young Canadian named Terry Fox who had his right leg amputated six inches above his knee because of bone cancer.

While in hospital he was so moved by the suffering of cancer patients he decided to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research.

After many months of preparation he had to learn to walk again with his artificial leg and then train for his epic trek he sent out from the Atlantic Ocean in Newfoundland in April of 1980.

He ran an average of 42km a day for 143 days until he was forced to end his marathon because cancer had spread to his lungs.

His incredible feat touched the hearts of millions in Canada and the Terry Fox annual run was established as a memorial to him and to raise money to battle the disease that killed him.

Updated: 08:34 Monday, October 29, 2001