A MOTHER who was diagnosed with cancer last year and went on to become a social media sensation is urging women to join her in the fight against the disease.

Julie Holmes, from Stanley, County Durham, is urging mums, daughters, sisters and friends to take up a charity challenge this summer.

The 31-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in February last year, is determined to lead the charge because of her personal experience of the disease and first-hand knowledge of the power of research.

The mum to Mia, four, and Charlie, two, decided to go see her GP after experiencing tenderness on the side of her left breast.

Ms Holmes, who runs Julie’s Swim School, said: “I never thought about it being cancer but then I heard those words “sorry it’s cancer” it felt like I’d been hit by a train.

“It was just awful. I had no expectation of what it was going to be so the diagnosis really hit me hard.”

The treatment included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy drugs and she had a mastectomy in March last year.

Soon after, she became a social media sensation when she decided to share her story on the Cancer Research UK Facebook page, including a photo in her gown on the hospital ward before the operation.

The post received more than 180,000 likes and was shared more than 7,000 times. She then went on to speak on stage in front of the crowds at Durham Race for Life in June and started the runners.

Ms Holmes said: “Sharing my story is really important to me as I don’t want cancer to define me.

“I saw it as a temporary change that I needed to go through but now I’m nearly at the end of my treatment. I’m back at work and life is getting back to normal.”

The Newcastle Pretty Muddy event is on July 9. There are 5k events in Sunderland and Middlesbrough on May 22, in Gateshead and Darlington on June 5, in Durham and Hartlepool on July 3 and in Newcastle on July 10.

People can also do 10k runs on those days in Sunderland, Hartlepool and Newcastle.

A Battle HQ event to encourage people to sign up for the Race for Life is being held at the Metrocentre, Gateshead, on Saturday, April 23 from 11am.

Ms Holmes said: “I hope lots of people seize the opportunity to go to the Battle HQ event, find out more about Race for Life and then earn their badge of honour by signing up.

“It’s thanks to these participants that I was able to get the treatment I needed.”

To enter Race for Life or find out more about local events go to raceforlife.org or call 0300-123-0770.