A NUMBER of accountants, secretaries, managers, bookkeepers and receptionists from Laun­ceston-based Hodgsons Chartered Accountants are in training, in a number of different ways, for the Eden Project's Race for Life which takes place on Sunday, June 7.

Some have leapt to the call for training, a few are reliant on their dogs to get them out there and there are those who prefer to think about it on the couch with a bar of chocolate.

Claire Fishleigh, assistant manager, said: "I was so pleased when I was asked to join the Hodgsons team running the 'Race for Life'. Firstly it is for a fantastic charity. A close friend has been bravely battling cancer over the past few months and has never once complained about the treatment she has been facing — I wanted to do something for people like her who face such awful circumstances with such inspirational bravery."

Melanie Cage, tax assistant, said: 'In preparation for the Race for Life I have forsaken any credibility but instead I have been donning running shorts and putting the newly refurbished Bude canal path through its paces on weekend mornings and have bought something very pink to keep in the spirit of Race for Life! I have also enjoyed catching up with old friends by pestering them to sponsor me."

Louise Jones, manager, was not so keen on preparation, as she said: "Short of chasing around my two and a half year old boy the only preparation I will be doing will be some deep breathing and mentally psyching myself up for the impending assault."

The ladies have set themselves a time limit to complete the race in and the Hodgsons partners have promised to double their sponsorship money if the team completes the race within their limit.

James Hodgson, Partner at Hodgsons said: "We are really proud of all of the ladies in the offices who are taking part, they have already raised a great deal of money and we hope to get some more sponsors in before the big race."

Hodgsons offer a number of different financial services. For further information please see http://www.hodgsons.uk.com">www.hodgsons.uk.com or to sponsor the team please contact Hodgsons in Launceston on 01566 772177, or email [email protected]">[email protected].