Carlisle-based rally girls Jemma Bellingham and Rachel Medich are pulling on their racesuits for a special one-off rally at the end of December to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK , a charity very close to their hearts.

British Championship co-driver Jemma Bellingham, 24, is jumping over to the driving seat and making her rally driving debut on the Specsavers Christmas Stages rally taking place at Croft Circuit near Darlington on the 29th December. Rally rescue nurse Rachel Medich, 27, will swap her bandages for maps and take to the passenger seat as co-driver.

The girls chose to do the rally to raise money for Cancer Research UK as both Rachel and Jemma have had cancer scares this year. Rachel discovered a lump in her neck, which doctors suspectaed was a lymphoma. She bravely endured numerous tests and a nasty operation to remove the lump, with the thought of cancer at the back of her mind all the time. Jemma discovered a breast lump whilst on holiday in the summer. Like Rachel she spent time in hospital for unpleasant tests and scans. Thankfully both have been given the all clear. Sadly many aren’t so lucky, including Rachel’s auntie who recently passed away after a battle against breast cancer.

“Rachel and I just can’t wait for the rally” said Jemma. “We’ve both had a difficult year this year but we’ve came through it and we wanted to do something which would make some money for such a worthwhile cause whilst raising awareness that cancer is something that can affect people of all ages. I’ve never driven a rally car before so this really will be jumping in at the deep-end but as long as we get to the finish and generate lots of money and raise awareness it doesn’t matter if we come in last but I’m fairly confident we’ll get a respectable result!”

The girls have received support from a number of businesses and wish to thank Chris Birkbeck Rally School based at Saltburn who have donated a car for the girls to use on the rally, David Stockton of Specsavers Middlesborough who has donated the rally entry fee, girlracer.co.uk who have provided some special racesuits for the girls to wear and David Auden Insurance Brokers.

“We’re so grateful for all of the help and donations we’ve received so far” said Rachel. “Without the support from the businesses and individuals, none of this would have been possible. It also means so much more as I recently lost my auntie to breast cancer. We’ve decided to dedicate the rally to her and will be naming our rally car ‘Muriel’ in her memory.”

The girls would also like to pass on their thanks to the Specsavers Christmas Stages organising committee for all of their help as well as friends and family for their support.

Jemma and Rachel are still looking for further sponsorship and donations from both companies and individuals and would love to hear from anyone who can help.

To sponsor the girls visit www.justgiving.com/racyladiesrallying

To contact the girls email racyladiesrallying@hotmail.co.uk