A mum is taking on a charity challenge in memory of her uncle who died of cancer aged just 22.

Katherine Dixon, from Accrington, will join thousands of other women nationwide in the Race for Life in June.

Katherine, 34, of Queen's Road West, says her uncle Mark, who passed away from leukaemia when she was a child, had a huge impact on her life.

She said: “He was a fantastic man from what I remember and what I've been told.

“He was ill for a long time and to be taken at 22 is awful.

“I wasn't allowed to see him after he got ill but I remember he used to have to shove me through the bathroom window at my nan's house because he was always forgetting his keys and didn't want to get in trouble.”

Katherine Dixon's uncle Mark
Katherine Dixon's uncle Mark

The mum-of-two said her first goal for the year was to quit smoking and her second was to take on the Race for Life.

She is also running in support of her sister Joy who had to have her lymph gland removed but has now been given the all-clear from cancer.

Katherine added: “It's nice to see someone come out the other side, she's doing fantastic.”

Katherine hopes to raise at least £200 through the challenge on June 26 and is asking for people to get behind her.

She is planning on wearing a t-shirt with her uncle and sister's faces on and has said if a company is willing to give her a sizeable donation she will add their name to the t-shirt.

And she has already gained support from Hoyle and Dean, where husband Rick works, who have put a collection box for her in their canteen.

To support Katehrine visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/katherinedixon or text a £3 donation by texting Kath79 followed by £3 and send it to 70070.