A Malmesbury mum whose sister bravely lost her fight with cancer has helped raise over £15,000 at Swindon Race for Life.

Amongst the thousands of women, men and children who united against cancer at the Race for Life event in May, was Theresa Adams and her army of family and friends who came to support each other at Lydiard Park.

Theresa Adams, 39, from Malmesbury and her sister Celia Fernandez, 41, from Cirencester, were as close as sisters could be.

They were always there for each other and shared their love for life in what ever they did. Weekends together, Theresa’s upcoming 40th birthday, but most of all they were best friends.

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.

Sadly Celia died a week later, but was so proud of what her sister, family and friends achieved.

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

“Getting a couple of dates in the diary for different fundraising events meant Celia had something to look forward to. Coffee mornings at my house, an auction at my friend’s pub and before we knew it, my target of £100 went on and on.

“Doing 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.

“Celia was diagnosed with late stage bowel cancer in January this year and so many of our friends asked if there was anything they could do. I didn’t need them to cook meals or take the children to school. But they could do one thing and that was join my Race for Life.

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

Sophie Heath, Cancer Research UK’s events manager 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. Race for Life offers a unique opportunity for like-minded ladies to unite against a disease that affects us all in some way."