A REDNAL fundraiser who has raised more than £30,000 for Cancer Research UK is starring in the charity’s new nationwide TV awareness campaign.

Val Breakwell, who was 21 when she lost her mother to breast cancer, has a key role in a moving TV advert highlighting the charity’s commitment to life-saving research, which is possible thanks to people who leave gifts in their wills.

The new campaign encourages people from all walks of life to make a pledge – or promise – right now to leave something in their wills to help beat cancer for future generations.

Val, who lives in Rednal and is membership secretary of Hawthorns Social Club in Rubery, appears alongside Cancer Research UK nurses, doctors and scientists who commit to turn these pledges into new breakthroughs and create new hope.

She was just 21 when she lost her beloved mum, Beryl Pulsford, to breast cancer in 1985.

Val has raised more than £30,000 in three years through her local Hawthorns Social Club in Rubery.

Val said: “It was heart-breaking to lose my mum and still is to this day. I know everyone says their mum is the best, but mine really was.

"I’m now passionate about finding cures for this horrible and heart-breaking disease and have been raising funds ever since.

“I believe supporting Cancer Research UK’s vital work is the best way to do this. I have seen the advances that have been made in research and I believe that if my mum had been diagnosed now she would have had a much better chance of surviving."

Val, who currently works for Cancer Research UK and volunteers in her spare time, added: “Leaving a legacy gift in your Will - no matter how big or small – will make a real difference to one day beating cancer.”

Researcher Dr Clare Davies from Cofton Hackett, who is funded by Cancer Research UK to study cells that make cancers resistant to treatment, also features in the advert.

The women are also appearing in regional and national newspaper adverts, and on You Tube.

Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the West Midlands, said: “Every hour, four people in the region are diagnosed with cancer. The good news is, thanks to research, more people are surviving than ever before. But there’s still so much more to do.

“We hope Val and Clare’s commitment inspires as many people as possible to consider leaving a legacy to the charity.