AN ILMINSTER woman is set to raise thousands of pounds for charity after her dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

As well as taking on the 2017 London Marathon, Michelle Dymond has organised a host of fundraising events and will take part in half marathons and obstacle races.

She is also organising a special live band, disco and auction event Cricket St Thomas Golf Club which is alone expected to raise £4,000.

Michelle's parents lived in Ilminster for 20 years. Eight weeks ago, her dad Michael Hobbs was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Mrs Dymond said: "I am raising vital funds for the Institute of Cancer Research and St Margarets Hospice.

"I have been accepted onto the London Marathon 2017 team for the Institute of Cancer Research, as well as a couple of half marathons and obstacle races between now and then, and currently organising a number of local events to raise the money so desperately needed.

"The reason that I am raising funds for these fantastic charity is because eight weeks ago, my Dad at the age of 53 was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"His prognosis is very poor and in this very short time he has gone from an active man who loved his job as a stonemason, to being completely bedridden and reliant on around the clock care.

"The cancer is very extensive and aggressive and we, as a family, are having to come to terms with the fact that we only have a very limited time left to enjoy being with him and for all of us to create memories.

"The largest event that we are organising is at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club on October 15. It is a ticket only event with a live band, disco and auction, for which we are looking for auction prizes from local businesses.

We have a 400 person capacity at this one and so are hoping to raise in excess of £4,000 at this event alone."

The charity music event will feature live music from Utter Chaos and a night disco by Scorpion Discos.

Doors will open at 7pm, with the event set to run from 7.30pm to 12.30pm.

Tickets are available at £10 per person.

For more information and to get tickets call 07867757716 or email michelledymond66@gmail.com.

For more information on the two charities, Institute of Cancer Research and St Margarets Hospice, visit www.icr.ac.uk or www.somerset-hospice.org.uk.

To donate, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/michelledymond.