AN INSPIRATIONAL woman in Tetbury has been recognised by Women of the Year for her work with the charity Hope for Tomorrow, which brings cancer treatments closer to home using Mobile Chemotherapy Units (MCUs).

Christine Mills, MBE, founder of cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow, will join over 400 women at the Women of the Year lunch as a '2016 Woman of Achievement'. 

Each woman represents not only herself, but the millions of women who make a difference everyday.

Hope for Tomorrow, based in Tetbury, launched the world's first MCU in 2007.

Since then, they have provided another ten units around the country, saving patients travel and waiting time, and the stress of parking at hospital Oncology Units. 

Christine founded the charity when her husband, David, was taken ill with cancer and she was struck by the difficulties faced by cancer patients in travelling long distances for chemotherapy.

Christine said: "I'm delighted and honoured to be invited to the Women of the Year celebration in London, and that the dedicated work of Hope for Tomorrow has been recognised in this way.

"I am so proud that the charity was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise: ‘Innovation' earlier this year; this, coupled with my being invited to the Women of the Year lunch makes 2016 a special year for us all.

"My dream, and that of my wonderful team, is to help cancer patients throughout the country, providing a better experience of treatment for them.

"Our aim is to have at least one Mobile Chemotherapy Unit in every county by 2025."

This year's event will take place on Monday, October 17 at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel.

Women of the Year has recognised, celebrated and inspired women of all backgrounds since 1955 and continues to shine a light on extraordinary women through an annual Lunch and Awards ceremony, Lecture and on-going foundation work.

Sandi Toksvig, president of Women of the Year, said: "I'm looking forward to welcoming all our guests and winners to the Women of the Year Lunch & Awards in London this October.

"I would love to show the room to every schoolgirl growing up in Britain today and tell them ‘you can be whatever you want to be: just look at these incredible women.'"

Exceptional women will receive special awards at the lunch for being an inspiration to others.

The Women of the Year Awards are sponsored by Barclays, DFS, Good Housekeeping, ITV's Lorraine and Prudential and will be announced on Monday, October 17.