A PROUD Wirral woman who lost her mum to cancer earlier this year will be one of thousands of people taking part in this year’s Race For Life.

Kerry Otton, from Bromborough, will be doing more than just running on July 27 as she holds her very own “Think Pink Party” at the Merebrook pub in the hope of raising vital cash for Cancer Research UK.

The 34-year-old, who has worked at the pub for just over two years, already has a charity auction on the go and a raffle which has so far generated £300.

And with sponsorship for the race itself, the mother-of-two hopes to raise as much as she can but says she would be “over the moon” with £1,000.

The fundraising day, which starts at 2pm, will consist of a variety of events including a teddy tombola, cake sale, nail art, face painting, arts and crafts and much more.

Local businesses have also pulled together to support the event, which has been organised in memory of Kerry’s mum, Linda, who died from lung cancer on April 15 at the age of 57.

“The whole reason I am doing this is for my mum, she was so special and such an amazingly strong woman,” said Kerry, who has been supported by her colleagues and manager Roisin.

“Mum struggled with all kinds of health problems all her life and then after being admitted to hospital due to feeling unwell and breathless.

“We were all hit with the devastating news that she had lung cancer and also cancer of the adrenal gland.”

Linda tackled the disease head on but sadly, seven weeks later and after just two lots of chemotherapy, she lost her battle.

Kerry added: “We found out later from my dad that the cancer had spread to her stomach and pancreas but she would not led dad tell us as she wanted us to still have hope.

“That sums up what kind of a mum and nanna she was, even though she was going through this hell of a battle she still put us first and tried to protect us.

“I was doing the fundraiser in the Merebrook before mum passed and she was supporting me all the way but now she has gone, this means so much more to me.

“I want to make my beautiful mum proud and one thing I have come to realise is that this horrible disease affects almost everyone in some way or another and I want to do all I can to raise as much money and awareness as possible for this cause.”

Kerry and six of her colleagues from the Merebrook are among 1,500 signed up for the Globe-backed Race For Life in Birkenhead Park.

This year, organisers need 3,600 women and girls to stride out in the Wirral to help raise £350,000.

The Globe has been the event's official newspaper since 2006.

To add your name to the list of those signed up, visit raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.