A MUM has recruited a 46-strong army of supporters to join her in this month’s Race for Life, in memory of her daughter.

Suzanne Parmenter, from Colchester, is leading Team Izzy at the mammoth event in Colchester’s Castle Park, on Sunday, July 19, to raise money for Cancer Research.

It is believed the group of girls and women, whose ages range from five to their sixties, will be the largest team to stride out at the event.

Mrs Parmenter, 33, lost her daughter, Isobel, last October with a rare illness called Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

She was just 22 months old.

Mrs Parmenter said: “Team Izzy was something I started up when the Race for Life was advertised around Christmas time.

“I wanted to get as many ladies as possible to Race for Life as, although Izzy’s illness was rare, it was still recognised as a type of cancer.

“I asked close family relatives and family friends and it just went from strength to strength.”

The numbers increased after she put messages on her husband Michael’s Facebook page.

Izzy’s story is also on a fundraising page and by Easter about 40 had signed up for Team Izzy.

Members will wear purple T-shirts and butterfly head boppers on the day.

Izzy’s favourite colour was purple and Colchester Zoo has dedicated its Butterfly Glade to her.

Most of the team members will walk the 5k route before regrouping at a big team banner made by Mr Parmenter.

Mrs Parmenter added: “This, for me, is really about doing something for Izzy.

“I am proud as punch of my team. I cannot say how grateful I am for their support.

It means a lot. I shall be really emotional on the day when I see everyone in purple because I know it was Izzy’s favourite colour.”

Mrs Parmenter said it was important for Cancer Research to be recognised for its efforts.

It posthumously awarded Izzy a Little Star Award for bravery and it was involved in research into her condition when she was in hospital.

Izzy was only just past her first birthday when her parents realised she was not well.

At first, doctors repeatedly told Mr and Mrs Parmenter she had a dairy intolerance.

It was not until five months later a team of specialists diagnosed her.

Sponsor Team Izzy at justgiving.com/team-izzy