A BURNHAM woman has taken on a cancer fundraising mission 17 years after her parents set-up the local support group.

Holly MacBeth, 36, of Burnham, is in the midst of organising a Christmas fair and a circusthemed ball to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer – the charity for which her parents have raised more than £330,000 over the past 17 years.

It’s a charity close to the family’s heart. Holly’s mum, Christine Piper, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988 and survived. She and her husband John launched their local Burnham branch of Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 1997 and embarked on a life of fundraising. But the cancer returned in 2001, just as Holly was about to be married.

Once again she overcame the disease but the lasting effects of treatment mean Christine, 67, is unable to run the group and Holly, who has three young children, has taken over.

Holly told the Weekly News: “Mum came through the cancer but now has terminal fibrosis of the lungs, caused by scar damage from the radiotherapy treatment the first time round.

“There is no cure – it is being managed with oxygen therapy and it is really hard. We have good days and bad but it makes the fundraising even more important.

“Breakthrough is a research charity which funds doctors to come up with new treatments which don’t leave side-effects and conditions like mum has.”

Holly’s maternal grandmother also had the disease and Holly, who has two daughters and a son, said: “We know this disease in the family and the whole family is involved in helping to raise as much money as we can to beat it.”

The next event is Shop for a Cure for Christmas at Berrow Village Hall on Sunday, November 23.

Doors open from 10.30am-3pm and among the attractions are a singing snow princess and queen, a superhero visitor, refreshments including hot pork rolls and local traders selling a range of gifts for all ages, pamper treats and children’s activities. Admission is free.

And there are still some tickets left for the annual charity ball on December 6 at the Batch country house hotel, Lympsham. The theme is ‘A night at the big top’ and the £40 ticket includes a three-course meal, drink on arrival, entertainment by the Riverbrew Band and a disco.

Holly said: “This is my baby – this is the event my mum first let me take over so it’s very close to my heart.

“And with a vintage circus theme it should be a fun night!”

Call 07738 405085 to book tickets.