A LOWTON mum who lost her 24-years-old daughter to cancer in January has completed a fund-raising run in her memory.

Irene Franzen led her 30-strong team of Helen's Heroes in the first Cancer Research UK Women's Race For Life .

And joined by 1,000 women they pounded the Haigh Hall, Wigan, beat where Helen was employed as a ranger and due to take up a permanent post when she died

Helen had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis five years ago but there was no suspicion of the cancer which came to light last September.

After studying at Lowton High and Leeds University where she gained a BSc honours degree Helens ignored offers of lucrative employment to undertake voluntary assignments including protecting turtles on the beaches of Crete.

Voluntary work

She came home to live with her mum and dad Sandy and Irene and Lowton and started voluntary work at Pennington Flash where she obtained temporary contract employment as a ranger before being offered permanent work at Haigh Hall, where a tree and bench have been sited in her memory.

Sandy and her brother Ian, 26, who lives in Golborne, played their part by being volunteers for the day.

Organisers were overwhelmed by the race response from Wigan women and are hopeful that a record amount of sponsorship meoney will be collected.

Irene said: "The Race for Life was brilliant and it was an honour for us all to take part in Helen's memory and hopefully help save lives."