ABRAVE eight-year-old girl will be VIP guest at this year's Race for Life.

Georgia Kelly, from Daisy Hill, Westhoughton, will be the special guest at the event on Sunday June 7 at Pennington Flash, Leigh.

The St James Primary School pupil was originally diagnosed with cancer in 201 and underwent surgery to remove a tumour and part of her skull followed by a further operation to insert a plate in her skull.

Georgia also had a full body scan which revealed a second tumour in her abdomen, which had calcified. Within a few weeks of her surgery, more lumps appeared on her skull.

Test results eventually revealed that Georgia had neuroblastoma. She began chemotherapy immediately and was enrolled in a clinical trial.

Her parents, Karen and Phil Kelly, had already suffered heartache after losing their first child Jamie at the age of just three weeks when he was born prematurely. Karen, who is a paediatric nurse, had only just lost her dad, Sam Wood, to oesophageal cancer months previously to Georgia being diagnosed.

Georgia, her mum Karen and a gang of friends and family called “Team Georgia” will once again take part in Race for Life at Leigh and have already enlisted 31 participants for their team.

A Race for Life event will also be held at Bolton’s Leverhulme Park on Sunday May 17.

Karen, aged 38, said: “We were absolutely devastated to discover Georgia’s cancer had returned last August. But once again she has amazed us all with her determination and cheerful attitude.

“She is so excited to be special guest again at Race for Life Leigh. As a family we know more than anyone just how vital research into cancer is. We would urge as many women as possible to sign up for Race for Life as it’s such a positive event to be involved in.”

Every hour, around four people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. And that’s why Cancer Research UK is calling on women across the region to fight back against this devastating disease by signing up to Race for Life now.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK’s North West spokesperson, said: “Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast. It’s about an army of women standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against cancer. Every single one of our participants is so inspiring and we want North West women to help make 2015 our best year yet."

“With fire in their bellies and trainers at the ready, we know that our local ladies are up for the challenge.”

This year, organisers need 1500 women and girls in Leigh to rally together to help raise £62,810 for vital research.

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across the North West.

To enter Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.