HER footballer husband fought a successful battle against cancer two years ago.Now Sophie Forrest is showing her gratitude for the support he received by taking on a challenge of her own.

HER footballer husband fought a successful battle against cancer two years ago.

Now Sophie Forrest is showing her gratitude for the support he received by taking on a challenge of her own.

The 34-year-old wife of former Ipswich Town star Craig Forrest will be running her first London Marathon on Sunday and hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk.

She will be tackling the gruelling 26-mile course with her brother, Nick Collinson, 35, from Bredfield, near Woodbridge, and their friend Gary Matthews, 43.

"My family has been touched by cancer, so it was the obvious charity to raise money for. They helped Craig when he wasn't well and I wanted to help them," said Mrs Forrest, from Ipswich.

"My cousin, Ros, died from breast cancer last year and my aunt was diagnosed with cervical cancer the year after Craig's illness - thankfully she made a full recovery. It all gives you more of an incentive."

Former Blues goalkeeper Forrest, 36, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2001 and underwent surgery to have a lump removed.

Tests showed he was free of the disease in May 2002 and the former Canadian international remains in fine health.

He now works as a sports presenter in his homeland and Mrs Forrest and the couple's six year-old daughter Cheyenne are moving out to join him in Canada at the end of May.

Forrest, who left the Blues for West Ham in 1997 after 263 appearances and quit the game at the end of the 2001/02 season, will be at the finishing line on Sunday to cheer his wife on.

"I've done a couple of half-marathons and a 20-mile run and I'm just trying to relax and not get too nervous. I'm hoping for a time of about 3hrs 30mins."

Both Mr Collinson, a conservation adviser for the Woodland Trust, and Mr Matthews, a personal trainer, are triathletes, so Mrs Forrest will be in good company.

n To sponsor Sophie Forrest, Nick Collinson or Gary Matthews, contact the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk on 01728 723725 or visit www.cancerinsuffolk.co.uk.