A TOTTINGTON man is stepping out for a charity which helped his wife.

Stephen Stewart is a member of a cervical cancer support group which is undertaking a ‘Step’s for Jo’ 5K run or walk in Manchester this Saturday (June 13).

The group is fundraising for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, ahead of the start of Cervical Screening Awareness Week, which runs until June 21.

The event will be held in Dunham Massey Park in memory of their friends who have died from the disease in the last year.

Mr Stewart said: “I take part in the Steps for Jo’s in support of all my friends at Jo’s for a number of reasons.

“It is a fantastic way to raise money for a very deserving and important charity that has helped my wife Nicola and my family immensely in recent years.

“It is also great to meet up with so many positive, energised people.

“When Nicola was diagnosed with cervical cancer, it was important for us to meet positive people who understood what we were going through and could help us stay confident, determined, make sure that we believed and support us through the difficult times.

“Jo's did that for us and this network is just as important to us now as it was then.

“Hopefully we can in turn offer help and support to those who need it and raise awareness by taking part.”

Helen Savage, co-leader of the support group and main organiser, said: “Being diagnosed with cervical cancer is devastating and tragically in the last year we have lost four members of the support group to the disease which is why Steps for Jo’s is so important to us.

“It’s a chance for the courageous women who are diagnosed to come together and also celebrate those who fought the disease and sadly lost their lives. We look forward to welcoming everyone and invite the public to join us on the day.”

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “Steps for Jo’s is a great opportunity for all the family to get active and raise vital funds so that the charity can continue to extend its support network across the UK as well as work towards a future where cervical cancer becomes a disease of the past.

“For those whose lives have been touched by cervical cancer it’s also an opportunity to celebrate those affected and remember the women who have sadly lost their life to the disease.”

For more information or to sign up for Steps for Jo’s: visit http://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/walking/steps-jos