THIS Birchwood mum has got plenty of cheerleaders willing her on during this year’s Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Maureen Reeve-Webster is taking on the challenge after her mum and daughter were diagnosed with cancer within two weeks of each other.

The 52-year-old’s mum Margy Higginson sadly lost her battle with bowel cancer almost four years ago at the same time her daughter Mandy Parker won her fight against breast cancer.

The family are now urging mums, daughters, sisters and friends to make a defiant stand against cancer and enter the 5k or 10k event at Aintree Racecourse on June 22.

Maureen, who is mum to Mandy, aged 31, and Jenni, aged 29, said: “It was a terrible shock when mum was diagnosed with cancer and then to find out the following month that my daughter also had the disease was completely devastating.”

Maureen’s mum Margy first became unwell in 2010 and underwent surgery to have the tumour on her bowel removed.

Further tests revealed the cancer had spread into Margy’s liver and stomach and the 74-year-old lost her battle with the disease in November 2010.

Two weeks after Maureen’s mum was diagnosed, eldest daughter Mandy found out she had breast cancer and had to bring her wedding forward so she could celebrate her special day before the cancer treatment began.

Maureen, who is married to Jon and has four grandchildren Emily and Bobby, both aged 10, Luke, aged seven, and Finley, aged one, said: “As a family it was one of the most difficult times we have been though.

“We had just found out that mum’s cancer was incurable and we were trying to organise my daughter’s wedding in just two weeks.

“It was unreal.”

Maureen, a self-employed cleaner, took part in her first Race for Life in 2010 and has participated every year since.

She added: “Taking part is my way of fighting back against cancer for taking my mum who I miss every day.

“I’m also so grateful for the research that’s helped my daughter and now I want to help others by supporting Cancer Research UK’s work.

“I know mum would be proud of me and that by taking part I’ll be helping other families have more precious time with their loved ones.”

To enter visit raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.