'JCB Smurfmovers' aiming to raise thousands in memory of colleague

The 'JCB Smurfmovers' hope to raise over £10,000 in memory of 43-year-old Christine Elks, from Stafford Credit: ITV News Central

A group of 76 women are dressing up as Smurfs for this year's Race For Life in memory of a colleague who died from cancer.

The majority of the women are employees from JCB Earthmovers, in Cheadle and - along with family and friends - are donning the blue and white suits with blue face-paint for a 5km race at Trentham Gardens, on Tuesday June 10th.

The 'JCB Smurfmovers' hope to raise over £10,000 in memory of 43-year-old Christine Elks, a Principal Engineer at the Staffordshire company, who died in May this year after a 12 month battle with cancer of the Oesophagus.

Christine, from Uttoxeter, had worked at the company for 25 years and was highly thought of, acting as a mentor to young engineers.

Her partner, Bob Borsley, said she would have been 'very touched' by her friends' gesture of support:

In the last five years the group at JCB Earthmovers has raised more than £40,000 for Cancer Research UK Credit: ITV News Central

Organiser Sue Redding, says everyone involved has been touched by cancer. Sue, of Stafford, said:

In the last five years the group has raised more than £40,000 for Cancer Research UK.