ADJUSTING to life with a new baby can be tough for a new parent.

But handling the news that the youngster has been diagnosed with cancer at just six months old is earth-shattering.

Caroline Burch is one first-time mum dealing with just that.

But on Sunday, 31-year-old Caroline, of Eliza Street, Ramsbottom, will be fighting back at an organised family fun run in Heaton Park to raise money and awareness of cancer in children.

Caroline's son, Elliot, now aged 10 months, was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour earlier this year and has already undergone chemotherapy and had one of his kidneys removed.

Wilms' tumour is a cancer found in the kidney and most patients are under five years of age at diagnosis.

Every six weeks, Elliot will have to return to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury, for blood tests until he is almost eight years old.

He will also undergo ultra scans every three months to make sure he does not develop secondary cancers.

Caroline, who lives with her partner Mark Phoenix (33), said: "When Elliot was diagnosed with cancer it was a massive shock, but we just got on with the treatment. He is doing really well at the moment, but it can be up and down. Life's a bit like a rollercoaster. At the minute he is classed as being in remission."

On Sunday, Caroline, along with Mark, her mother Linda, and her mother's partner David Prest will be taking part in the North West Children Cancer Research run at the park in Prestwich.

And baby Elliot will also be joining in the one-mile family race, partly on foot with the help of his family, and partly in his buggy. There is also an adult race over five miles.

Caroline added: "We are hoping to raise more than £500 for research into childhood cancer and its treatment and let more people know about the condition."

Anyone who would like to sponsor the family or help with donations can contact Phoenix Hypnosis, 2a Crompton Street, Bury, BL9 0AD.