FAMILY and friends of a Chard man who has battled through cancer raised more than £2,000 by completing the Race for Life.

Six member of Eddie Gage's family, along with two friends, raised the money for Cancer Research by taking part in the Taunton event in July.

In the team was Eddie's daughters Sarah Lane and Emma Gage, his wife Pauline, and two of his nieces, Ally Parker and Abby Gage-Parker.

Eddie was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2014 and is recovering with things looking very positive for him.

Sarah Lane said: "I think that it was just really good to take part in and it was quite emotional to see all those ladies taking part and supporting a cancer charity.

"We all completed it. We set off together but then we split up and went at our own paces so we all finished a different times.

"This is the first time that quite a few of the group have done a Race for Life event."

The race, which was held on Saturday, July 17, started at Somerset College of Arts and Technology.

Mrs Lane added: "Last year we raised over £1200 for the Beacon Centre by doing a garden fete and have already handed the cheque over to them.

"We are thinking about doing another one of those but we don't have a definite date yet.

"Eddie is getting on really well and the Beacon Centre really looked after him really well.

"As a family we want to give something back to the Beacon Centre so that other people that have cancer might be better by them.

"He is definitely on the mend. He had treatment last year and at the moment PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is undetectable."

Eddie said: "I would like to thank my close family and friends for taking part on such a hot day and thank you to all the people who sponsored and came to support them on the day and all who helped with the two events."