A GROUP of friends will take part in a hospice fundraiser in memory of a brave mother who died of cancer.

Friends of skin cancer campaigner Mandi Welsh will take part in St Cuthbert's Hospice's Colourama on Saturday, June 6 as the Wacky Walkers.

All of them remain inspired by the mother-of-two's courage as she faced her illness.

Mrs Welsh, who was originally from Newton Aycliffe but later lived in Kelloe, had been a regular user of sunbeds before she was diagnosed with skin cancer shortly after marrying husband Steven.

She underwent surgery which left her with facial scars and became well known in her final years touring schools and appearing on TV to warn about the perils of tanning booths.

Her charity work led her to become an Olympic Torch Bearer in Consett, in 2012, before she passed away in November of that year, aged 44.

Jane Graham, of Crook, said: “She was lovely.

"She was such a nice girl and she was desperate to live.

“She is still an inspiration to us all.

"It will be very emotional for us at Colourama and it will be a proud day too, but I think a lot of people at the event will be there for a loved one.”

The two women met in 1998 when they worked together at the Flymo factory in Newton Aycliffe and became firm friends.

Mrs Welsh, who was a loving mum to Scott and Lauren, spent around two weeks before she died at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham.

Miss Graham like many friends and family visited often.

She said: “Mandi received brilliant care at the hospice.

"I felt so comfortable there when I visited.

"The staff couldn’t do enough for you. It was lovely.”

The Colourama event is a 5k sponsored walk or run around a course at Aykley Heads, Durham, during which participants will be covered in a washable non-toxic powder paint turning their white charity t-shirts into a kaleidoscope of colours.

For information visit stcuthbertshospice.com/244/2/Colourama