A MUM who daily helps breast care patients literally went that extra mile for them when she took part in a half marathon to raise vital funds for Worcester's breast unit.

Mother-of-two and breast radiographer Julianne Baker took part in the Worcester half marathon on Sunday, raising £235 for the breast unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

The life-saving unit at 220 Newtown Road is set to open this autumn, helping the 600 people in Worcestershire diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Not content with helping patients every day as part of her job, Mrs Baker went beyond the call of duty to support the unit which will bring clinics together under one roof, meaning a better and more effective and comfortable service for patients throughout the county.

Readers still have the chance to sponsor her and support the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign which has been the chosen charity of the Worcester News since before the official launch in October 2009.

Mrs Baker, aged 37, of Marlpool Lane, Kidderminster, completed the half marathon in a personal best of two hours and four minutes, cheered on by her children, aged four and two.

Mrs Baker is based at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove but also works at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital.

She said: "I'm delighted with my little achievement and I managed to raise £235 so far for the unit.

"I have worked for Hereford and Worcester Breast Screening for one year now. My team provide breast diagnostic examinations for both the NHS breast screening service and the symptomatic breast service.

"I believe the Worcester breast unit will provide a one stop dedicated unit for the women and men of Worcestershire with a united team delivering first class breast care all under one roof.

"The unit will provide rapid efficient assessment and care, treatment in welcoming and private surroundings, facilities that will help maximise the skills of our specialist teams, fewer return visits, space for complimentary therapies and support group meetings, counselling rooms for reflection and discussion, new clinical equipment and flexible space for use by support groups.

"I have always liked running and managed to run a few 5k runs over the last few years but I decided to push myself this year and aim for a half marathon.

"I found the training difficult to fit in with working full time for breast screening and having two children.

"Most of my training has been done at night around the roads of Kidderminster and on my £50 ebay treadmill when the weather was not so favourable."

If you can sponsor her visit justgiving/j-baker2