DAVE Griffith has rallied a team of 40 to join him in the “dreaded” City2Surf fun run in Sydney to raise money for cancer research, inspired by the devastating news that his mother is terminally ill.

“I was always going to run the City2Surf, but when we got the bad news about mum a couple of weeks ago, I decided to make a positive spin on it,” Dave says. “It’s easy to sit around and mope, but while she’s alive I’d rather be positive.”

The “Ann’s Angels” team will run Sydney’s City2Surf on August 14, wearing matching purple singlets, to raise money for the Australian Cancer Research Fund.

“I sent an email to all my contacts and asked them to pass it on, and there’s been an amazing response,” he says. “Some people are friends and others I have no idea who they are, but I’m really grateful that people are getting involved.”

Dave’s mum, Ann Griffith, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2002 and told she wouldn’t survive six months.

“Being stubborn and having that never-say-die attitude that mum does, she beat the cancer, lasting another eight years, until once again we were told of terrible news just recently,” he says. “I want to bring some happiness to mum, who’s been very humbled by all this.”

The City2Surf is a 14km fun run from Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach, and while Dave says he will be running it, which he predicts will be “hell”, there’s no pressure on the other “Angels” to do so.

“I’m leaving it open to whether people would like to walk or run it, but it will be followed by a beer or 30 at Coogee or Bondi somewhere,” he says.

“Initially my aim was to raise $5000, but in just 17 days we raised $8360, so I’ve upped the goal to $20,000. People have been so supportive.

“It’s an amazing feeling, to be bringing people together and creating awareness and a sense of camaraderie.”

To make a donation, visit www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/anns_angels