A BRIDESTOWE woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of a routine breast screening has raised more than £3,600 for cancer charities with the help of her family.

Georgina Hodgson, 52, is a cover manager at Okehampton College. She urged women in the area to sign up for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in Plymouth last month, and took part alongside her daughter Bekky Mant, and her son's fiancée, Amanda Coombes. The trio raised more than £1,000.

Georgina also got up on stage in front of the other women taking part in the race, and shared the story of her own personal battle with cancer.

Georgina said: 'The atmosphere was amazing. Women of all ages, each with their own story or reason for participating, gathered together on Plymouth Hoe, all united by their desire to raise money to help find a cure for this dreadful disease.

'Taking to the stage to tell my story was slightly daunting, but once I'd suppressed initial nerves, I actually found it empowering, and it psyched me up for the race.

'We all found the Race for Life a challenge. None of us are natural runners, but we did it.

'The three of us, together with colleagues and their girls all kept each other going, especially on the uphill sections of the course.

'It was wonderful having my family there to support me.

'Although, as you can imagine, it was emotionally charged, I don't think I could have done it without them.'

Georgina almost missed her routine screening due to a work commitment, but fortunately decided to reschedule the appointment, despite feeling fit and healthy.

She underwent her mammogram test last autumn.

It revealed calcifications in her breast, and a subsequent needle biopsy confirmed breast cancer. She underwent two operations to remove the cancer during December 2011, and in February, received four weeks of radiotherapy treatment.

She has responded well to treatment, but still suffers from severe fatigue as a result of the radiotherapy.

She will stay on the anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen for the next five years, and will undergo regular check-ups.

Georgina's brother David Moore set off on his own challenge, cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for Cancer Research UK and another local cancer charity.

Despite one of the riders being knocked off his bike and needing a flying visit to hospital, both riders completed the challenge and raised over £2,600.

Already planning her next challenge, Georgina will climb Ben Nevis in 2013 to raise money for FORCE, a cancer charity in Exeter.

She also intends to run in the Race for Life again next year.