A TEAM of Forces friends are to take on a challenge to help a mum-of-two in her ‘last battle’ against cancer.

Darwen dad David Costello and 11 pals will run with 48lb in their backpacks when they take part in the Blackpool Half Marathon.

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The weight the 46-year-old and his team will be carrying represents the age of Mr Costello’s sister, Jakki Stone, when she was told her cancer was terminal.

The team is made up of ex-servicemen Chris Doherty, Rob Johnson and Ronnie Johnson, and serving military personnel William Barr, Tony Sandle, Lee Kay and Colin Wright also from Darwen, to raise money for East Lancashire Hospice.

Mrs Stone, who has been an inpatient at the Blackburn hospice since New Year’s Day, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2006.

As the family were waiting for the five year all clear, they were told that the cancer had spread to her lungs and in October 2015, Mrs Stone was told it had spread throughout her body.

Mrs Stone, who is also from Darwen, recently underwent radiotherapy to blast the brain tumour but has been told another tumour has developed.

She said: “When the cancer came back the doctors told me it was terminal. “I knew this would be my last battle, but I’m going to carry on fighting until the end.It’s about keeping me comfortable now.”

Her brother, who left the Army last year after 24 years, said: “East Lancashire Hospice needs £3.4million a year so they have to raise a lot of money through fundraising.“I was going to run the Blackpool Half Marathon but my best friend Anthony Sandle, a captain in the Army, suggested tabbing it instead of running.”

Tabbing is a walk with a weighted Bergen (rucksack), usually wearing boots and military kit, sometimes carrying a rifle.

Instead of the usual 15kg, Captain Sandle suggested 22kg, equivalent to 48lb.

‘The Blackpool Tabbers’ aim to raise £5,000 for the hospice when they take part in the event on April 23, St George’s Day, and have been training on the moors near Jubilee Tower in Darwen.

Mr Costello said: “It wasn’t until recently that I realised just what the hospice does.

“Those guys should be on the Queen’s Honours List. The service they provide is outstanding.

“They have been able to get Jakki’s pain under control and they have worked wonders.

“She’s been through a lot but she continues to fight.”

Following the half marathon, there will be an event on at the Victoria Pub in Darwen to raise more funds. Mr Costello has been supported by Waves Consultancy, the firm he works for, which has donated more than £800 to the hospice in the form of cash and prizes, and Autoglym.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/companyteams/Blackpool-Tabbers.