Matthew SparkesA team of ten athletes who call themselves the Starlight Babes have stepped forward to make life easier for those suffering from cancer in Norfolk.Matthew Sparkes

A team of ten athletes who call themselves the Starlight Babes have stepped forward to make life easier for those suffering from cancer in Norfolk.

The group will take part in the Starlight Walk event on June 18, as they have done every year since it began in 2006.

In it walkers complete a 13-mile course around the city's ring road to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

And thanks to corporate sponsors like Bennetts, who meet the organisational costs, every penny raised goes directly to charity efforts.

Denise Goodwin, from Chapelfield in Freethorpe, is one of the ten Starlight Babes expected to attend the walk.

Her mother- and father-in-law were helped by Macmillan when they were both struck by cancer, and her own father was also affected by the illness.

Mrs Goodwin, 52, who like most of the Starlight Babes is a member of Yarmouth Athletics Club, is keen to raise money for cancer charities such as Macmillan.

'We've done different things,' she said.

'We've done the Moonlight Walk in London, we've done a 50 mile bike ride for the British Heart Foundation in Norwich.'

'We just like different challenges. It's just something we enjoy.'

She said that the Starlight Walk was a particular favourite because all of the money raised goes towards a good cause and because marshals were 'very supportive on the way round'.

She said that the charity did valuable work and that nurses just 'giving him a bit of company' had helped her father-in-law in his final weeks.

Although organisers are keen to stress that the Starlight Walk is a relaxed event and not a race, the Starlight Babes may find it hard to restrain themselves due to their athletic background.

Mrs Goodwin, who works for Norfolk County Council supporting people with learning disabilities, said that she and her fellow athletes hope to complete it in three and a quarter hours, and said: 'We get a shift on when we move'.

The group will be easily recognisable on the night because of their habit of wearing matching shirts, coloured wigs and glow-in-the-dark jewellery.

Are you taking part in the Starlight Walk? Tell us why by calling reporter Matthew Sparkes on 01603 772439 or by emailing matthew.sparkes@archant.co.uk.

For more information on the Starlight Walk or to register to take part, visit www.starlightwalknorwich.co.uk.

To see more coverage on the Starlight Walk visit the Evening News mini-site at www.eveningnews24.co.uk/starlight.