In memory of their colleague after her sudden death from cancer, a team will be running 10k for the hospital where she was cared for.

Julie Martin, who worked at Watford-based mortgage advisors Scala Financial Services, passed away after an eight-year battle with skin cancer in May.

The company described the 49-year-old as a “really vital member of the team” who “always had a smile on her face".

“Losing someone like that is quite debilitating,” Scala director Scott Patmore said. “She battled cancer for quite a while but then in the end, it progressed very quickly. It was very sudden.”

In honour of their friend and colleague, the whole sales and admin team will be taking on the Moor Park 10k on September 22.

Julie Martin.Julie Martin. (Image: Scala Financial Services)

The challenge will be raising money for Mount Vernon Hospital where Julie, who lived in Hemel Hempstead with her husband, had many appointments.

Colleagues say she had “nothing but gratitude” for the care she received and the nurses she spent time with.

Visit the JustGiving page here

“The Scala family wanted to find a way to give something back and help other people who are currently battling this dreadful disease,” the company director said.

“Myself, Louise, Steph, Jodi, Emma, Andrea and Sarah have decided to step away from our desks, out of our comfort zone, and take on a 10k run to raise money for The Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.”

The Scala team who will be taking on the run. Scott Patmore fourth from left.The Scala team who will be taking on the run. Scott Patmore fourth from left. (Image: Scala Financial Services)

He added: “We’re all of different levels of fitness but we’ve decided to enter as a team and just do it together in memory of Julie.”

The 10k will set off from Merchant Taylors' School and go through Moor Park Golf Course and the Moor Park estate.

A JustGiving page has been set up ahead of the run, with a £5,000, target.

The fundraiser explains that Mount Vernon is currently fundraising to be able to provide free complementary therapy spaces, install sky art panels on the ceilings of the radiotherapy rooms, and build a new therapy suite for prostate cancer patients.