GOOD friends are always willing to go that extra mile for each other, but Jill Towns is running more than 26 extra miles for her special buddy.Because the 48-year-old was so impressed when her friend Jackie Cooper overcame breast cancer that she decided to run the London Marathon to raise money to battle the disease.

GOOD friends are always willing to go that extra mile for each other, but Jill Towns is running more than 26 extra miles for her special buddy.

Because the 48-year-old was so impressed when her friend Jackie Cooper overcame breast cancer that she decided to run the London Marathon to raise money to battle the disease.

Mrs Towns, of Rushmere St Andrew, said: “We know each other because we used to both work at Elms Hardware in Kesgrave and became good friends.

“When she told me she had breast cancer it was me who cried and she comforted me.

“She was so brave in fighting it and she got fantastic support so I really wanted to be able to do something.

“And I've run marathons before so I decided to do that and raise money for the Ipswich Hospital Breast Clinic where she received such good care.

“I know that when I run it will be painful but that pain will stop once I stop running but unfortunately people who have cancer aren't as lucky as that.

“Jackie is such a little old thing but she did amazingly well when she dealt with the bombshell of cancer.

“Breast cancer could happen to anyone and because I have a daughter it worries me because it seems to be so common now.”

And Mrs Cooper, a 60-year-old mum-of-two, said she was thrilled her friend was willing to run the marathon for the Ipswich hospital Breast Clinic.

Mrs Cooper, of Padstow Road, Kesgrave, said: “It is so lovely. I have had great support all along which has made everything so much easier.

“And when she said she would run the marathon I thought it was wonderful. We've know each other for seven or eight years and I think she is really an amazing woman because running the marathon isn't easy.”

Mrs Cooper, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, said she hoped her positive attitude would rub off on her friend when she took to the streets of the capital on April 22.

She added: “I've fully recovered now and I think the most important thing is always looking on the bright side.

“But I know I was lucky because of all the help I got which is why I'm so pleased money will go to the trust.”

n Are you running the London Marathon for a good cause? Contact Rebecca on 01473 324802 or e-mail rebecca.lefort@eveningstar.co.uk