A Bradford mum is preparing to join this weekend’s 5k Race for Life for Cancer Research UK.

Karen Carr, 53, said her motivation to join the challenge comes from her daughter, Megan, who sadly passed away at the end of 2017.

Karen, of Thornton, said: “Megan wanted to run it as she was clear in late 2015 but when she went for a scan the tumour came back at the back of her right lung so she was unable to do the race, she was having chemotherapy at that time too.”

The Race for Life is taking place at 10.30am this Saturday in Lister Park, and Karen and her family are doing it for the first time. She said: “We’ve been practicing I think I will be walking it, I am not a runner.”

The mum will be part of a team of five walking during the race for Megan.

The others are Megan’s sister Amy Laycock, Megan’s cousin Kayleigh Seery, Megan’s sister-in-law Laura Laycock and Megan’s friend Zoe Jane Haldenby.

She remembers fondly the time when Megan was invited as the VIP guest to set the runners off at Race for Life in 2016.

“She’d be very proud because we are doing it because she couldn’t, she’s probably cheering us on from wherever she is.

“We’ll all be wearing something of Megan’s, whether it’s a bracelet or T-shirt. I will be wearing her trainers that she went to her treatment with. It’s going to be very emotional day for me, hope I don’t start crying.”

She is hoping she will get around and is determined to do so because it means more money for different treatments and research.

“I will still do it”, she said. We can’t save Megan now but we might help somebody else. I bought a treadmill, been training a bit. But I keep telling them, I am 28 years older than them!”

She said she will have power of doing it in memory of Megan, who was only 18 when she died and had cancer since she was 15.

“The cancer took her body but it never took her fighting spirit. She never gave up hope and would not allow us to give up either. Megan would not have wanted us to sit round crying. She was so bubbly, so outgoing, such a little fighter”.

Karen said over £5,000 has been raised for Cancer Research UK in the memory of Megan, and another £1,000 for other cancer charities. Mrs Carr added: “Me and my husband Chris would like to thank everybody that has donated in Megan’s memory, it means a lot. Go Bradford. Let’s beat cancer!”

Last month, many people donated Easter eggs in Megan’s memory to patients at Leeds General Infirmary, BRI Manorlands Hospice and Marie Curie on Leeds Road.