THE new event organiser for Bradford’s Race for Life who lost her mum to cancer is calling on other women to take up this year's challenge as a tribute to their own loved ones.

Sarah Threadgall, 24, was just 12-years-old and her brother Richard, 14, when her mum Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer at 50. She had a mastectomy, then underwent chemotherapy, and radiotherapy and took part in clinical trials to help research.

But in September 2008 Liz, was told the cancer had come back and had spread to her throat and her brain, by the end of the following August the former WestYorkshire Police worker was admitted to St James’s University Hospital in Leeds where she died.

Miss Threadgall said: “She bravely fought her battle and never once complained or asked why it had happened to her. She was still undertaking all the daily tasks of a wife and mother until the week before she passed away. I was only 18 and 20 days away from starting an events management course at university, something my mum had always wanted me to do. I felt incredibly lonely and needed something to focus on so I decided to help other families who had been affected by cancer like ours.”

She started to volunteer for cancer charities and took part in a 10k run for Cancer Research UK, raising more than £800 and then found out about the Race for Life events assistant scheme which she joined.

After leaving university and with two years of working as an events assistant she successfully applied for a full time post with Cancer Research UK as a Race for Life area event manager.

“Race for Life is so incredibly important to me and I feel really lucky to now be able to organise events which leave me feeling inspired to help others. Through Race for Life I’m able to honour my mum’s memory as well as helping to raise money for Cancer Research UK’s vital research, to help other families affected by the disease," she said.

And added: "My family also do their bit – my dad Martin has volunteered every weekend at local Race for Life events and will be alongside me again this year at my new site in Bradford. I also take part in a Race for Life event myself, with my mum’s picture on my back sign.”

Now she is urging other women to enter the Bradford event in Lister Park on June 14 as the perfect way to show their love and help to beat cancer sooner.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k event which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner.

To enter Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.