A WILTSHIRE mum has raised over £15,000 this summer, in memory of her sister who died after battling cancer earlier this year.

Theresa Adams, from Malmesbury completed the Race for Life at Swindon's Lydiard Park, just a week before her sister, Celia Fernandez, 41, died from bowel cancer.

The 39-year-old mother completed the race with an army of family and friends who were dedicated to raising as much as possible for Cancer Research UK.

Theresa said: “Seeing my sister fight, struggle, be brave, visit hospitals and go through her treatment, I knew I wanted to give something back.

“Celia was diagnosed in January this year and so many of our friends asked if there was anything they could do.

“Doing the Race for Life was never a cure for my sister, it’s to find a cure for the future, for maybe our children or even our grandchildren. Celia’s six-year-old daughter Mataya and husband Ben were always her focus and she fought with everything she had."

“On the day it was announced they had raised £89,000 and as a team we raised over 15 per cent of the total. We are so blessed and lucky to have such amazing friends and family.”

Sophie Heath, Cancer Research UK’s Events Manager, who organised the Swindon weekend in May, said: “Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to people like Theresa and these amazing supporters in Wiltshire who join the fight at Race for Life.

“The atmosphere on the day was hugely moving - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter - as people came together to remember loved ones lost to cancer or celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived."

Celia was unable to see her family and friends in action back in May as she was too unwell, but knew her army of supporters were thinking of her along the way.

Celia died just a week later.