Sarah Colledge’s close friend, two sisters and her children are urging as many women as possible to sign up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Pretty Muddy event.

Helen Bradley, Jayne Fort and Clare Cookney are urging women to join the unique obstacle course – with added mud – which takes place for the first time in Blackpool at the Lawson Showground on Saturday September 17.

The three of them are taking part in the 5k challenge in tribute to Sarah.

Sarah was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. A lump was discovered in her lower left stomach following a routine operation. Tests revealed it was a fluid filled ovarian cyst which was removed during further surgery at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Despite being assured that everything had gone well with the operation, Sarah started to suffer from excruciating pain and told doctors that she could feel a rapidly growing lump in her stomach.

The pain became so bad that Sarah had to give up work and could barely move. She underwent a biopsy and while she was waiting for the results, she was admitted to hospital after a serious episode of bleeding, vomiting and stomach cramps.

Doctors initially thought she could have ovarian cancer, but following a number of CT, MRI scans and X Rays, Sarah was told she had an unknown primary cancer. Sarah was told that most of the cancer was in her bowel and that if she didn’t undergo major surgery her prognosis stood at around six months.

She underwent an 11 hour operation involving a hysterectomy, lower left stomach muscles being removed, major reconstruction of the abdomen, partial removal of the bowel, a colostomy and stents in the bladder.

The surgeon also had to shave some of Sarah’s hip bone off as the cancer had started to grow there. Just weeks after surgery Sarah began 12 sessions of chemotherapy which lasted for six months. All her scans came back clear and she was feeling confident about the future.

But unfortunately 12 months later, Sarah was told the cancer had returned and she once again began chemotherapy treatment.

Despite being in terrible pain, Sarah amazed everyone with her positive attitude and continued to support Cancer Research UK by being VIP guest at Race for Life in 2015, fund-raising for the charity and was keen to remind everyone of the importance of research into the disease.

She died in April of this year aged just 38 leaving her partner Kenny, daughter Eve aged 12 and 15-year-old son William.

Sister Jayne Fort, aged 37, who works as a florist in Poulton-le-Fylde and lives in Norbreck, said: “Sarah was a remarkable person and we all miss her desperately.

“She inspired everyone she met as she was just so positive and determined to keep going for her children.”

Sarah’s other sister, Clare Cookney, aged 33, who lives in Poulton-le-Fylde, said: “We loved taking part in Race for Life in Blackpool last month (July), but it was a very emotional event too and we so wish Sarah could have been with us.

“We are now looking forward to taking on another challenge in tribute to her courage and she would laugh if she knew we were getting muddy for such a good cause.”

An army of women is needed to slip, slide and splash their way over, under and through a range of obstacles from scramble nets, tunnels and hurdles, to the final challenge of the giant inflatable slide – all to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

Pretty Muddy is non-competitive. It’s accessible for women who see themselves as couch potatoes as well those who are more GI Janes – the mission for everyone is to show cancer who’s boss.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK’s North West spokeswoman, said: “We hope as many women as possible will rope-in their friends and family and help swell the ranks of Race for Life’s pink army.

“Pretty Muddy promises all the fun and camaraderie of our much loved 5k and 10k events – with lashings of mud, sweat and cheers.

“Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast. Women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, clambering, scrambling and laughing their way around.

“It’s about the power and strength of North West women coming together in a show of defiance against cancer. At Pretty Muddy, when we fight, we fight we fight dirty.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco for the last 15 years, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat 200 different types of cancer.

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across the North West.

Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and more supporters are needed to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

Jane continued: “Half of those diagnosed with cancer now survive. But half is not enough. We won’t give up until no-one’s life is cut short by cancer.

“That’s why we hope as many women as possible across the North West will accept our Pretty Muddy mission. By tackling obstacles together, they can help Cancer Research UK’s scientists in their ultimate challenge – bringing forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £21 million last year in the North West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

To enter Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.