AFTER both Christine Dunkin’s sisters were diagnosed with cancer, she decided to start fighting back.

Now she has pledged to help raise the £3m needed to build and run a Maggie’s Centre, next to the Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford.

Mrs Dunkin, 62, a former landlady, said soon after her sister, Maggie Hopcroft, of Oakley, was diagnosed she sought help from the charity.

It gave her and her family members advice, emotional and psychological support, and organised special events where Maggie could forget about her illness for a few hours.

Mrs Dunkin, of Greenfields, Arncott, wants townspeople to put their best foot forward and join her in a 5km sponsored walk.

It will take place on Sunday, July 19, at 11am, starting and finishing at Pingle Field, Bicester.

The route will include Priory Lane, Chapel Street, Market Square, Sheep Street, back to Market Square, the Causeway, Old Place Yard, returning to Pingle Field for a lap.

Mrs Dunkin said: “About a year ago Maggie was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and of course went along to the Maggie's Centre.

“She could talk to people and get information and she got to know the girls.

“I have been able to go and chat to them too.

“They have people there you can open up to. They are trained and know what to say.

“There are also people who can help with benefits advice. It’s a brilliant service.”

Last year Mrs Dunkin, staged a sponsored dog walk in aid of the appeal, but this year she decided to get people walking as well. Called Walk to Support, participants will be given a card to attach to their T-shirt where they can write the name of the person who has cancer or in memory of someone who died from the disease.

She added: “With both my sisters having cancer, I wanted to get involved.

“The charity is very close to my heart.”

Mrs Dunkin’s other sister ,Ann Jeffries, who lives in Adelaide, Australia, is currently in remission from cancer.

Maggie’s Centre fundraiser Sandy Briscoe said so far the appeal had raised £600,000.

She said: “There are a lot of people out there who could need us and don’t know about us.

“We are here to help the people of Oxfordshire. Everything we do is free.

“Christine set up one of our friends groups to raise awareness of Maggie's in their own areas as well as helping us to raise funds.”

To take part in Walk to Support fill in the printed form .

Entry costs £5 for adults, £3 children or £13 for a family, and return it to Deans Court Cafe, Deans Court, Bicester.

Or for more information call Ms Briscoe on 01865 225710.