A YOUNG mum who lost her grandmother to cancer is taking part in Race for Life in her name.

Cassie Rushton, a 27-year-old stay-at-home mum from Johnson Fold, lost her beloved “nan”, Clara Parsonson, to lung cancer.

Now she is urging mums, daughters, sisters and friends to make a defiant stand against cancer by entering the Race for Life 5k event at Leverhulme Park in Bolton on Sunday, July 6.

Mrs Rushton, who is married to husband Martin and mum to Lilly, aged three and 18-month-old Lucy, said: “I was only quite young when nan was diagnosed with cancer, but we are a very close family and it was a terrible shock for us all.”

Mrs Parsonson was referred for tests at the Royal Bolton Hospital after developing a persistent cough. Sadly, the family was told her cancer was incurable and no treatment could be given.

Just two months after diagnosis, she lost her battle to the disease aged 83.

Mrs Rushton will be taking part in Race for Life for the first time and she will be doing it with her two little girls as well as family and friends.

She added: “Taking part in Race for Life is my way of fighting back against cancer for taking my nan. We all miss her every day.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner. Carrie Murphy, Cancer Research UK’s Bolton events manager, said: “We’re calling on an army of feisty females to help us stop cancer in its tracks. Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast.

“Instead, they are an amazing way to celebrate life but also remember those who have been lost to the disease.” This year, organisers need 1,800 women and girls to stride out in Bolton to help raise £105,000.

Ms Murphy added: “There are more 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find cur