DEVOTED daughters are to pay a special tribute to their mum, who battled cancer for more than a decade, by taking part in the Race for Life.

Catherine Vardy, aged 20, and her 21-year-old sister Jessica lost their mum Jane Dervin to a brain tumour in 2012.

The Knutsford sisters are taking part in the north west’s first Race for Life Pretty Muddy event at Tatton Park in June for Cancer Research UK.

Pretty Muddy is a new women-only, non-competitive five-kilometre obstacle course.

Catherine, who is studying law at the University of Staffordshire, said: “When mum was first diagnosed with cancer we were a young, happy family. Mum was really brave and never gave up.

“We were very young when she was first diagnosed with cancer, but she always kept going for us. We are a very close family, and have supported one another.

“Taking part in Race for Life Pretty Muddy is our way of fighting back against cancer for taking mum. We miss her every day.

“It will be an incredibly emotional day, but I know mum would be proud of us, and by taking part in the event we are able to help other families have more precious time with their loved ones.”

Catherine and Jessica, who works as a waitress at Pizza Express in Knutsford, were eight and nine respectively when their mum was diagnosed with the disease.

She had started to fell unwell, and was referred for tests to Macclesfield Hospital. It was here Jane and her family were told she had bowel cancer.

She received chemotherapy treatment, and despite being unwell continued to work and look after Catherine, Jessica and brother Jonathan.

Two years later the disease returned, and Jane was diagnosed with adrenal cancer. She underwent surgery at Macclesfield Hospital, followed by further chemotherapy.

Jane had been in remission for five years when a further scan revealed kidney cancer.

She underwent chemotherapy at The Christie, and in 2010 became unwell again and was admitted to hospital, where she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She was given radiotherapy treatment followed by more chemotherapy, and died in October 2012, aged 58.

Catherine and Jessica are part of a four-strong team called The Exercise Dodgers taking part in the Pretty Muddy event, with friends Nikki Dutton and Samantha Way from Knutsford.

To support their fundraising efforts visit the justgiving website and type in Catherine’s name.