A Clayton-le-Woods teacher whose mum died after battling a brain tumour and leukaemia is to take part in a fundraising race pay tribute to her.

Ashley Clayton, from Clayton-le-Woods, will be taking part in her second Race for Life event in tribute to her mum and is urging other women to do something amazing to help more people survive cancer.

Ashley’s mum, Margaret Clements, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 1997 after suffering what was at first believed to be vertigo and dizzy spells.

Mum-of-three Margaret, who was aged 51 at the time, underwent surgery to remove the tumour, followed by courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Doctors believed she had made a full recovery and she was given the all clear.

However, in the summer of 2004, Margaret was diagnosed with leukaemia.

She needed numerous blood transfusions and platelet donations and was hospitalised from Christmas 2005 onwards.

She died the day before Mother’s Day in March 2006 aged 59.

Ashley raised £300 for Cancer Research UK last summer after taking part in her first ever Race for Life event at Leyland.

Her daughter Jessica Clayton, aged seven, cheered her on from the sidelines and asked if she could also take part this year.

Ashley, Jessica and a gang of pals, will be taking part in the Worden Park event at Leyland on Sunday July 12.

Ashley, who also has a son Sam aged 11, is a primary school teacher in Bolton.

She said: “We watched my mum beat the brain tumour and were in complete shock when she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“She was an extremely feisty character and even though we were told she couldn’t survive the leukaemia, it was still hard to cope with her death.

“I think of my mum every day. Her ashes are buried in Chorley Cemetery, which means I can go there and feel close to her.

“I found Race for Life an extremely emotional event. It was great fun, but very moving.”

Women are invited to enter Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871 641 2282.