STAFF from a Watford doctors' surgery will be taking part in this year's Race for Life event in Cassiobury Park tomorrow (Sunday).

A total of 29 female doctors, nurses, receptionists and admin assistants from the Park End Surgery, on Rickmansworth Road, will run 5km to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

It is hoped around 5,000 women will participate in the event this year, but it will be a particularly hectic weekend for the team from Park End, as the practice is moving into a new, purpose-built surgery in Bridgewater House, Printers Avenue, off Whippendell Road.

There the surgery will operate alongside the Coach House Surgery, which will itself be moving from Park End.

Together, they will run services from one of the largest newly-constructed buildings to be used for primary care in Hertfordshire. Senior partner at Park End, Dr Margaret Murray, has taken part in the race before.

She said: "I thought it was a very good cause and I thought the girls would enjoy it.

"We've enjoyed the training and it's a fantastic atmosphere on the day "We're all looking forward to doing it."

Cancer Research UK is hoping to raise around £360,000 from the event.

Rebecca Carey, Watford's race organiser, said: "Every single woman who takes part in Race for Life and raises money is making an invaluable contribution towards the fight against cancer." The team from Park End has been coached by health visitor, Linda Hinshelwood, who has run a total of 19 marathons and has done some ultra-marathon running, including a 35-mile route. She said: "We've been training for nine weeks.

"To prepare for the run, we've been doing all sorts of things, including timed runs and drills."

Admin assistant Catherine Farman said: "We've been huffing and puffing all around Watford. "If anyone would like to donate money to the cause, they can visit our website at www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/parkendsurgery."

The team will only have Sunday night to recover before the new surgery premises open their doors on Monday, July 3.

Together with the Coach House surgery, around 20 GPs will operate from the site. It is also hoped that the building will be used for osteopathy, Pilates and Tai Chi. Dr Jenny King of the Coach House surgery said: "The move is really very exciting.

"Between the two practices, there are 22,000 patients, and there's really no ceiling limiting the number we can sign up. "The project is not just about giving people somewhere to visit the doctor. It's about providing a sort of community centre, not just for our own patients." When the surgeries open on Monday, they can be contacted on 01923 202 600 for the Coach House and 01923 202650 for Park End.