A MOTHER-of-four’s battle against breast cancer has inspired friends and family to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Lorraine Williams, known as Lou, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer just before Christmas last year.

“My advice to other women would be not to ignore the slightest change in your breasts,” she said. “Don’t think that just because you don’t have a mammogram until you’re 50 you’re not at risk of breast cancer before that. I’m 47 with no family history of breast cancer.

“In August of last year, I began to feel tired and unwell. I couldn’t quite figure it out and decided I must be going through the menopause.

“I put off going to the GP as I was busy. By November I noticed changes to my left breast. I was referred to the breast unit and within two weeks was diagnosed with breast cancer which had spread to my lymph nodes.”

Mrs Williams had a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in December and is halfway through a chemotherapy course.

She grew up in Worcester but now lives in the Isle of Man after she and husband Dan moved there 22 years ago.

She runs a bed and breakfast called Raymond’s in memory of her son who died in 2011.

She said: “The care I’ve received in the Isle of Man has been prompt and efficient. From diagnosis to surgery was only four weeks. I’m now half way through chemo and hopeful that we caught it soon enough.”

The couple have four children Jasmine, 22, Tom, 18, Poppy, 13 and Florence, five.

She recently returned to the UK for radiotherapy treatment which she hopes to have in Worcester.

Best friend Hayley Grinnell, organised the five-mile sponsored walk, starting from the Barley Mow pub, Hanbury Road, Droitwich, which raised more than £1,200 for Breast Cancer Care.

The pair attended Cranham Primary School in Warndon.

Mrs Williams said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part, everyone who donated and especially my friend Hayley for organising the event.”

Friend Robin Jackson will hold a charity summer ball in aid of Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven at Malvern Rugby Club on Saturday, June 16. Donations of raffle prizes can be made by emailing robin@red-penguin.co.uk.

Her sister Rachael Etherington has also set up Lou's Library at The Deli@Pershore, selling donated books.

For more information or to make a donation, email deli.pershore@hotmail.co.uk.