Stars join Bupa 30th Great North Run for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

Soap stars warm up for Bupa 30th Great North Run for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

“Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is dedicated to beating blood cancers by funding vital research into these disease and I want to help them continue making giant steps towards a cure.”

The "Corrie" stars are all running the world's biggest half marathon as part of the TV Times "Banana Army" running team in aid of blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. The forenamed "Banana Army" nickname comes from the bright yellow t-shirts the team wears when running.

This year marks the Bupa 30th Great North Run and the 50th anniversary of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Graeme Hawley aka John Stape from the ITV 1 soap said: "There are quite a few soap stars running as part of the "Banana Army" and we're determined that "The Street" will come out on top."

Craig Gazey, more commonly know as street joker Graeme Proctor, said: "On behalf of all the Coronation Street runners I'd like to say that we're delighted to be part of the world's biggest half marathon and to be helping raise awareness for such a worthy cause."

Actress Vicky Binns, who plays Molly Dobbs in Britain's longest running soap opera, added: " Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is dedicated to beating blood cancers by funding vital research into these disease and I want to help them continue making giant steps towards a cure."

The Bupa 30th Great North Run weekend includes the Bupa Junior and Mini Great North Run taking place on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside Saturday 18 September.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the official charity of the Bupa Junior and Mini Great Run series for 2010. Award winning young Emmerdale actress Eden Taylor-Draper, who has taken part in every Bupa Junior Great Run in 2010 for Leukaemia &Lymphoma Research, will take part in the junior event

Eden said: "I'm really looking forward to taking part in the Bupa Junior Great North Run. I have taken part in every Junior Great Run this year but the Bupa Junior Great North Run is the biggest and I can't wait to get involved."

The mini event - suitable for children aged 3 - 8 years - covers a one mile course and the junior event, for youngsters aged 9 - 16 years, covers a three mile course.