Bride's cancer cash-raising run in memory of her parents

Now Mrs McDougall is to take part in this weekend's Race for Life in memory of her parents, in the hope that the money she raises will lead to new treatments so that others survive.

The catering manager, who also lost two grandparents to cancer, wanted to make her parents a part of her wedding day, so placed photographs of them at the reception next to charity collection tins.

She collected hundreds of pounds on her big day in April and now plans to raise more for charity Cancer Research UK by running the Race for Life at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh on Sunday.

Mrs McDougall, 37, of Liberton, said: "My mum died two days after my 21st birthday, of breast cancer, and my dad was lost to cancer eight years later.

"Because my granny and granddad also died of cancer, I know I have to be careful myself, which is another reason why I am happy to be running to keep fit and healthy. I think people need to be more aware of the fact that you can now beat cancer. If my mum had developed cancer today I think she would still be alive.

"She died 17 years go when less research had been done and people were less aware of the signs. I wish my mum had the benefit of all that, but she didn't."

Mrs McDougall's parents Marlene and John "Gunner" Tolmi were well known in their home community of Loanhead.

Despite being told she had just days to live, Mrs Tolmi survived six weeks to see her daughter turn 21. She died aged just 52.

Eight years later, in 1998, smoker Mr Tolmi died of lung cancer when he was 63. "It spread rapidly through his body," said Mrs McDougall. "It was a really horrific death and I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Lung cancer also killed Mrs McDougall's grandfather Eddie Aitken and a brain tumour was responsible for the death of her grandmother, Helen.

Mrs McDougall added: "I am hoping as many people as possible will recognise my mum and dad and help me to raise money for cancer research. I also just want to make people more aware of cancer research."

Race organiser Olivia Carruthers said 8300 women would be jogging over the start line on Sunday, and it is hoped they will raise 620,000.

The money will go towards improving treatments by supporting future clinical trials, including those that regularly take place at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

Ms Carruthers said: "The money that's raised goes directly to Cancer Research UK which works for improving treatments, prevention of cancer, and hopefully one day beating cancer.

"One in three of us are affected by cancer, so it's a great charity to raise money for because we are working to decrease death rates."

To sponsor Mrs McDougall go to www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/[email protected]