MEDICAL workers are swapping stethoscopes for trainers in honour of a brave little girl who battled a terminal brain tumour.

A Prestwich GP and other staff from Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are running the Great Manchester Run – a 10km race – this May to fund brain tumour research.

Cath Tickle, the CCG’s commissioning manager, rounded up colleagues to take part as ‘Team Jessica’ in memory of the daughter of her friend Lisa McLoughlin.

Jessica Green, from Little Lever, died on April 1 last year after fighting a terminal brain tumour for three years.

The six-year-old was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – an aggressive, inoperable brain tumour – in March 2011 at the age of three.

Since the youngster died, her parents, family and friends have continued her fight by fundraising for The Jessica Green Fund, which raises awareness and cash for the Brain Tumour Charity.

One member of Team Jessica is Dr Jeff Schryer, a GP at Whittaker Lane Medical Centre in Prestwich.

He said: "Although I didn’t know Jessica personally, I was heartened by her story and didn’t hesitate to sign up to run with Cath and the team.

Raising money for a good cause whilst hopefully getting fit in the process, has got to be a win win situation.”

Lisa said: “When Jessica was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, we searched home and abroad for a cure, but we were devastated to learn that there had been no advances in treatment in over 50 years.

“We have now teamed up with the Brain Tumour Charity because we want to help to fund research into this area.

“We also want to raise awareness of this debilitating disease, which is so desperately underfunded.”

Dr Schryer, who is also a clinical director and mental health lead for Bury CCG, added: “In addition to raising money for research, Jessica’s parents are really keen that other mums and dads are aware of the main signs and symptoms of a brain tumour.

“Symptoms are many and can vary, but could include fits, a severe persistent headache, drowsiness, unexpected vomiting and partial loss of vision or hearing.

“It is important to see your GP if you develop a persistent and severe headache with no obvious cause, especially if you also have unexpected vomiting.”

To sponsor Team Jessica: text PMUD47 and a donation amount to 70070 or go to justgiving.com/prettymuddygirls47