A YOUNG West Devon woman will be donning her trainers for a big part of this year as she embarks on a challenge to run 20 charity races in 2012.

Amy Kiteley, 26, has decided to run 20 races, all 10 kilometres and over, around Devon and Cornwall to raise money for Cancer Research UK, after her father was diagnosed with the disease.

Amy, who lives in Tavistock and works at Dukes Coffee House, will take on her first race on Sunday in Exeter.

Amy said: 'In 2011 my dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer. This was a heartbreaking shock as my dad isn't supposed to get ill!

'Thank goodness after tests they discovered it hadn't spread so he was given a date to have keyhole surgery to have his kidney removed — an in one day and out the next job.

'Unfortunately while in hospital he had complications and got septicaemia — it was very touch and go for a while and we thought we were going to lose him.

'After a week or so he started to recover and came out of hospital a month after he went in, with no idea how bad he had been.'

Amy said it was now four months and her father is well on his way to recovery.

He has been given the 'all clear', but Amy said it would take him a year or so to fully recover.

'To be honest I don't remember crying once throughout the month he was in hospital, all I felt was numb.

'We lost a month from worrying and fearing the worst, but everyday I think how lucky I am to still have my pops in my life — many aren't so lucky.

'I lost both my grans to cancer and have other family members who have beaten the disease.

'If I can help to find a cure by running 20 races then I will do what I can to help raise awareness and money.'

Amy is hoping to raise £1,000 and has ideas to hold other fundraising events in the future.

In the meantime she will be training for all her races by running with her dog in her spare time.

Anyone who would like to support Amy with a donation can visit her Just Giving web page at http://www.justgiving.com/amy-kiteley1">www.justgiving.com/amy-kiteley1