An inspirational mum of three, who is living with terminal cancer, has raised an incredible sum of money as a gesture of thanks to all those who have helped her battle the disease.

Andrea Batten-Gray, 49, from Penny Bridge, Greenodd, has raised almost £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support by arranging a charity walk called 'From Drop off to Pick up'.

Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015 and underwent six months of aggressive chemotherapy and surgery. However in July 2015 Andrea was told that the cancer had spread to her liver and bones and there was no cure.

The idea for her charity walk was inspired by the kind and caring school mums who have become a close network of support for Andrea. She said: "The whole idea of the drop off to pick up walk was that we mums would do something good once we had dropped the children off at school.

"I have met some amazing people through my childrens' school and I am so touched that so many have turned up to walk today.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer I would meet the other mums from school and we would go for coffee, often at Booths. We called it my laughter therapy, because just chatting and laughing together can be just what you need when you are suffering."

The ten mile walk set off from Windermere School, which Andrea's three children Sophie (14), Michael (11) and Sebastian (5) all attend. The ladies stopped half way for a lunch donated by Winster Valley Brewery and then walked back in time to collect their children from school.

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The majority of women who turned out for the walk were mums from Windermere prep or Andrea's friends from the village of Penny Bridge. Everybody donned their best trainers and many brought along their Cockerpoos and Labradors to show their support for Andrea and Macmillan.

Andrea also hopes that the event will raise money for the particular type of cancer she is suffering from, stage four, advanced metastatic breast cancer. She said: "When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I felt like there was so much information and support locally but now I have stage four cancer and it has spread, there doesn't seem to be anybody else in the same situation as I am.

"I talk to women online who are in America but there weren't any groups locally who could sympathise with what I am going through. I would like to raise awareness so that other women who are diagnosed can find somebody to talk with."

Andrea has remained incredibly strong throughout her treatment and last year moved from a hospital in London to the Christie hospital in Manchester. She credits her positive outlook to the hugs, smiles and wonderful people around her, she said: "I have some amazing friends and I am lucky to have a wonderful husband, David, too. I do have some dark days and when I do, I often speak to my sister and brother, who are both incredibly supportive."

Andrea's husband David was out in his support vehicle to assist the charity walkers, he said: "The event was something Andrea wanted to do for ages and as soon as she found out she was in a stable condition she started planning it. We have been overwhelmed by all the kindness and support we have had from friends and from the school."

If you would like to donate to Andrea's cause you can visit her JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrea-batten.

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