THIS year's Race for Life at Westpoint, Exeter, which is raising funds for Cancer Research UK, has the added challenge of mud.

This is the first time Pretty Muddy has been held in Exeter and one of the hundreds of women and girls taking part will be 17-years-old Hannah Willis of Crediton, who is raising funds in memory of her grandfather, Geoff Lee.

Pretty Muddy is a women-only, non-competitive 5km obstacle course, plus mud and takes place on Saturday, July 25.

There will also be the regular 5k and 10k events the following day, Sunday, July 26.

Hannah is the daughter of Steve and Dee Willis. She has three brothers. She is a student at Exeter College where she has qualified as a beauty therapist.

She will be taking part in Pretty Muddy with her cousin and friends. Hannah has already raised more than £550 in sponsorship. People wishing to help can do so through the Just Giving website: http://www.justgiving.com/HannahWillis7/">www.justgiving.com/HannahWillis7/

Geoff died in May. In a booklet produced in his memory by Crediton AFC, Hannah said he had been diagnosed with an incurable cancer a few weeks before he died.

"It was heart-breaking seeing my grandad, a wonderful man, suffer from such a horrible disease," she wrote.

Crediton Parish Church was packed for the funeral service for Geoff Lee. A Kirtonian, he began playing football from the age of 13 with Crediton Football Club's youth team, continued playing well into his 40s, then served as team manager and club chairman.

For a short time in his late teens, Geoff played with the Exeter City Colts team, returning to Crediton.

In appreciation of his services to Crediton AFC, Geoff was made a life member 10 years ago.

In his later years, Geoff became much interested in classic cars, owning several and enjoying visits to classic car shows.

He had started his building career as an apprentice with F Hopkins and Co, learned his trade as a brick-layer with Fred Grant and Ian Grinney, another Crediton AFC stalwart.

For several years there was the Lee, Ash and Cann partnership before Geoff teamed up with John Twitchen and John Salter.

His life-long friend, Dave Blanchford, commented at Geoff's funeral: "When it came to work, Geoff was a perfectionist. There is his work all around town.

"I am sure that Long Meadow in Crediton should be renamed Geoff Lee Road for all the work he has done there over the years!"

Sue Read