A BROMSGROVE mother who has fought a relentless battle to help find a cure for leukaemia after the death of her son, has received a special award.

Nicole Harris lost her nine-year-old son Marc to leukaemia in April 1989, and just six weeks after his death she helped organise the Bromsgrove branch of Leukaemia Research UK’s first event after answering an advert for fund-raisers in the Advertiser.

The Stoke Heath resident became chairman of the branch within a year, and has go on to help raise thousands for the charity through hugely successful fun runs, bikeathons and her forget me not walks.

At the last count £825,000 has been raised for the charity, and the branch is continuing to close in on the long-term £1 million target.

The charity works to stop people dying of blood cancer, while carrying out research to stop people developing blood cancer in the first place.

At Leukaemia Research UK's recent annual Unstoppable Sports Awards, held at Haberdashers’ Hall in London, Nicole received a special achievement award.

Nicole was presented with her award from Barnt Green resident and former England footballer Geoff Thomas, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003 and later recovered.

Nicole said: "Many people who did the first fun run are still running or marshalling which is very heart-warming.

"Bromsgrove has become quite a challenging 10k and runners come from all over the country to attend.

"I could never give up organising this event as the public is expecting it. I’m so glad I can still rely on friends who help me on the day - it’s still hugely rewarding.

"Many advances in blood cancer research have been made over the past 25 years and it is vital we carry on fund-raising.”

For more details about the branch, and its latest fund-raising events, visit lrfbromsgrove.org.uk.