A BUTCHER from Cirencester will be donning his running gear this month to raise £12,000 for a cancer charity, in memory of a popular grandmother.

Christian Alba of Michael Hart and Son butchers will be running with 14 others to raise funds for charity Sarcoma UK, after a well-loved grandmother Sandie, from Siddington, died of the disease.

Sarcoma is cancer of the bone and soft tissue and is something none of Sandie's family had heard of until the 60-year-old's death last year.

Following her death, Sandie's daughter Deborah Ebbrell, 38, decided to gather together friends and family, as well as her local butcher Christian, to take part in a 10 kilometre run in London to raise money and awareness for the charity.

"My mum died very quickly after being diagnosed with Sarcoma," said Deborah. "Her death was devastating and I decided then to try and help the charity with its research into the illness."

The group of 12 women and three men, Sandie's Stars, will be running the Wembley Park race on September 14, with an aim to raise £12,000.

Christian, who works at the butchers on Bishops Walk, has already raised £600 and is leading a collection at the shopping mall this Saturday between 12-2pm.

"They are all amazing people and I am thrilled to be one of the runners and to stage the money raiser," said Christian. "It has been well supported by our business."

Visit justgiving.com/teams/sandiesstars to donate.