A WOMAN who lost her mother to a brain tumour has invited women across Bath to sign up for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life 2008 and reflect on why they will be taking part.

People are being urged to secure their places for the two events in Bath, both on 1 June 2008 at the University of Bath, with one starting at 11.00am and the second at 14.30pm. Other events will also be taking place in Swindon and Marlborough in June.

Katie Ash, 30, said she was a big supporter of the events, which raise money to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.

Mother-of-one Ms Ash was seven months pregnant when her mum started feeling ill.

"My mum Viv Ash was diagnosed in August 2006. She had been healthy but she had been getting headaches," she said.

"She was admitted to hospital and was diagnosed with a brain tumour called glioblastoma multiforme, which they said was very rare and incurable. It is a very aggressive tumour and they told us she had a short timeframe.

"They said it was inoperable at first, but then they decided to try and she actually had brain surgery on the same day as I went into labour.

"She went on to have radiotherapy, which wore her out, and she underwent months of chemotherapy.

"The chemo started well, but by Feb 2007, it was not helping any more and the doctors felt we should stop the treatment.

"My mum had a lot of dignity. She died on 23rd March 2007 at the age of 59."

Ms Ash, who lives in Chippenham and whose daughter Willow is nearly 18 months old now, said she got involved with Race For Life last year.

"When mum was poorly and I had just given birth, I thought it would be a really nice idea it got me out of the house and it helped me channel my emotions," she said.

"Crossing the finishing line made me feel I had fought back, and raising as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK would give other people a chance to beat cancer, or simply give them as much time as possible with their family and friends."

Ms Ash, whose sister Christie will be running Race For Life in Marlborough, urged women across Bath to register early to avoid disappointment, and said: "I don't know anyone who hasn't been touched by cancer, either directly or indirectly.

"I urge women across Bath to enter Race for Life today and help Cancer Research UK beat cancer."

This summer, the annual women-only fundraising event the largest of its kind in the UK will see 750,000 women join together to raise over £50 million to fund vital, life-saving research into the prevention, treatment and cure of all types of cancer.

Bath participants will be part of a total of 750,000 women from across the UK, taking part at 262 events. Together they will be hoping to raise a total of £50 million for Cancer Research UK.

To enter Race for Life, or for more information, visit the website www.raceforlife.org/ or call the hotline on 0871 641 2282.