A Langho family is embarking on a series of charity challenges, in memory of a wife and mum who died of cancer.

Louise Regan died last April, aged 41, after battling an aggressive type of skin cancer.

Louise was described as “fit and healthy” before her diagnosis. Her husband, Chris Regan, said she “had no real symptoms” associated with cancer until it had spread into her lymph nodes.

Louise, the leader of a Lancashire Constabulary safeguarding team, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on December 29, 2022.

Lancashire Telegraph: Louise Regan (right) with husband Chris (left) with sons Max (bottom left) and Zach (bottom right)Louise Regan (right) with husband Chris (left) with sons Max (bottom left) and Zach (bottom right) (Image: Rosemere Cancer Foundation)

Louise underwent immunotherapy but died just four months later on April 25, 2023.

Chris, who is currently on a sabbatical from his job at Pursuit Aerospace, Burnley, to adjust to life without Louise, said: “Louise’s cancer was just too aggressive.

“Unfortunately, up until the point it had spread into her lymph nodes, Louise had had no real symptoms.

"Louise was very fit and healthy. She went running regularly with friends, she was a keen walker and she was very active through the boys’, Max and Zach, football clubs and parents’ groups connected to St Mary’s Langho and St Augustine’s.”

To thank everyone at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, which helped Louise throughout her diagnosis, the family has been raising funds.

Chris said: “Louise passed away at home and to mark the first anniversary of her passing, we have decided to celebrate her life by fundraising for Rosemere Cancer Foundation to thank everyone at Rosemere Cancer Centre for all of their efforts as they tried to save Louise.”

Chris is getting ready for his skydiving debut on Sunday, May 5.

He also joined sons Max (14) and Zach (11), both pupils at Billington’s St Augustine’s RC High School, to take part in Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s annual Walk in the Dark on Saturday, April 27.

Lancashire Telegraph: Chris Regan with family and loved ones after completing Walk in the Dark Chris Regan with family and loved ones after completing Walk in the Dark (Image: Rosemere Cancer Foundation)

The walk left Chorley and South Ribble Hospital at 8.15pm to follow the A6 for 11 miles to the Royal Preston Hospital, which is where Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria’s a regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre, is located.

It is also where Louise received treatment.

Chris, Max and Zach were joined on Walk in the Dark by Chris’ parents Jackie and Andy Kay, of Langho, and sister Emma Kay, of Longridge. Around 550 other walkers were also on the walk.

A fundraiser was set up on behalf of the family and more than £1,500 has been raised so far.

This Sunday, friends Dave Owens, Simon Leyland and Dave Roscoe will be joining Chris to skydive as Team Point Break, named after the cult 1991 Keanu Reeves/Patrick Swayze surfing and skydiving film. Chris has set up an online sponsorship page for this challenge on JustGiving.

Louise’s family and friends donated £5,030 to Rosemere Cancer Foundation in her name following her passing.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world-class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated not only at Rosemere Cancer Centre but also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties, including those at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Teaching Hospitals.

The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free.

For further information on its work, visit Rosemere Cancer Foundation's website.