AN extraordinary Westhoughton mum and daughter will sound an air horn to start Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Leigh on Sunday (June 7).

Georgia Kelly and mum Karen Kelly will be invited on stage at this year’s Race for Life event at Pennington Flash in Leigh.

Brave Georgia will chat to the commentator about her extraordinary story before sounding the starting horn and setting the participants on their way at 11am. Georgia and mum Karen will be taking part in the event with a gang of more than 55 friends and family members called Team Georgia.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner.

Georgia, from Daisy Hill, Westhoughton, has touched the hearts of Race for Life participants in Leigh for the past two years.

She was originally diagnosed with cancer in 2011. The St James Primary School pupil underwent surgery to remove the tumour .

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.

After more than two years of being cancer-free, last August, Georgia sadly relapsed.

Georgia is now receiving regular chemotherapy treatment, but attends school and loves swimming.

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.”

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: “We are thrilled that Georgia will be our special guest at Race for Life Leigh once again as she is such an inspiration to everyone who takes part.

“Everyone at the charity was saddened to hear that her cancer had returned last summer. I feel honoured to have become friends with Georgia and her mum Karen. And I will be taking part as a member of Team Georgia at Leigh along with my daughters Rosie and Daisy.”

It is hoped the women and girls in Leigh will 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.

Jane continued: “Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer like Georgia’s

“Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we can fund, the sooner that day will come - so ladies, it’s time to pull on your leggings, join the pink army and get ready to Race for Life.”

Places are still available at Race for Life at Wigan’s Haigh Hall on Sunday June 14.

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