WHEN the women of Elton Sailing Club decided to enter a 17-strong team in the Race For Life event at Heaton Park, little did they know their youngest member would be nine-year-old budding sailor Grace Brooks.

Grace, from Ramsbottom, nimbly stepped into her mother Alyson's running shoes at the 11th hour on Sunday (June 6), when mum was forced out of action by a foot injury.

The sporty schoolgirl, a pupil at Greenmount Primary School, immediately volunteered to take her mum's place in the team and ran the 5 kilometres with her fellow team mates, including big sister Kate (20).

Proudly sporting her Race For Life medal, Grace admitted to being a little nervous at first.

"There were more people running than I thought and it was a bit scary at the start. I wanted to run for my mum because I was sorry she couldn't take part."

Mum Alyson was a proud spectator, saying: "It was all Grace's idea and so far she has raised about £100 in sponsorship. I'm really pleased for her as it was a big event."

Grace completed her day of sporting triumph by winning another medal in the afternoon at a swimming gala in Ramsbottom.

The female running team from Elton Sailing Club, based in Bury, have raised around £1,800 for Cancer Research UK, after an extra donation from local property agent Rob Gasgoine who pledged to double the sponsorship if any of the team completed the race in under 30 minutes.

Yet again, it was another Brooks family member Kate who came in at 28 minutes beside Elton team mate Tina Morris.