MAJOR cancer support charity Macmillan is appealing for Pembrokeshire people to take part in the charity's annual Dawn Walk fundraiser.

People can take part by walking either the full or half marathon or the family walk from the Oriel Y Parc Centre, St. David's, Pembrokeshire, to help support those whose lives are affected by cancer.

Pembrokeshire Dawn Walk will take place on Sunday May 15 with the full marathon commencing at 6am, the half marathon at 9:30am and four mile family walk at 11am.

The registration fee is adults £10 and under 18 £5. T-shirts to commemorate the event and water will be supplied free of charge.

Entrant Louise Dunlop, has very personal reasons to support the event.

She said: "I have helped with Macmillan for a few years now - when it used to be more localised fundraising, I used to help the Pembroke Team by showing them around Pembroke Refinery to raise funds before the coffee morning. My eldest sister works in the Oncology/Haematology Day Unit at Withybush Hospital so I always had a basic understanding about how much Macmillan did in the community.

"Then in 2002 my brother Andrew started getting issues with his stomach and when they operated - it was too late. Life didn't begin at 40 for him. After 8 months and at the age of 41 he passed away.

"Macmillan helped him out so much. They provided a specialist bed so he didn't get sores etc. As it became more difficult for him to be mobile, and emotional support for him and my Dad who nursed him. Two years later they also provided the same excellent support for my step mum.

"My Dad really deserves a medal for what he went through - in two and a half years he lost his eldest son and wife. So that's the reason why I do this. I want to raise money for Macmillan so they can continue to help others that need them. I also enjoy doing something like this that's challenging and also helps me to keep fit!"

This year's event is being sponsored by Sem Logistics, NexMedia and Signspeed.

Online registration is open. See www.pembrokeshiredawnwalk.org.uk, and for more information and updates on the event, contact Pembrokeshire Dawn Walk through Facebook or via Twitter on @pembsdawnwalk