MUM of three Debbie McMahon is taking on the London Marathon in tribute to her mum, whose life was saved by cancer treatment.

Debbie, 39, from Knutsford, is taking on the challenge of the world-famous event to help raise funds for The Christie at Macclesfield appeal.

Her mother was saved by treatment she received at The Christie for breast cancer.

Debbie has raised thousands of pounds for The Christie over the past decade, and will realise a lifelong ambition by taking part in the London Marathon.

Debbie, who is also running the Wilmslow half marathon in March, said: “My mum was treated at The Christie, and they saved her life.

Now my mother-in law is also receiving treatment there, so it’s very close to my heart.

“It will be my 40th birthday two weeks before the race, and all my family know it has been an ambition of mine to do the London Marathon for as long as they can remember.

“To have a new Christie centre in Cheshire will be amazing for people here as they will not have to go into Manchester. It’s such a worthy cause.”

Money raised by Debbie will go to The Christie charity’s £23 million fundraising appeal for the new centre in the grounds of Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Lindsey Farthing, sporting events manager at The Christie charity, said: “People like Debbie are so important to our charity and as is often the case, Debbie has such a personal connection to The Christie.

“Debbie has raised thousands of pounds for the charity over the past 10 years and we are extremely grateful to all our fellow fundraisers who go the extra mile for us.

“We cannot do without them and are very much looking forward to having The Christie at Macclesfield centre up and running.”

The Christie at Macclesfield, which received planning approval last year, will transform cancer care in East Cheshire, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 patients a year.

Existing Christie patients from Cheshire, North Staffordshire and the High Peak area of Derbyshire will all benefit.

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The new centre will also bring together essential cancer services into one purpose-built unit delivering local specialist access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, holistic support and information services, outpatient care, palliative care and a wider range of clinical trials.

Work on the two-storey building is expected to begin in May 2020, with the aim of opening during autumn 2021.

If you would like to support The Christie at Macclesfield appeal visit christies.org/macclesfield or call 0161 446 3988.