A mum-of-two is preparing to tackle the Great North Run for the first time after she was inspired by her own mother’s fight against breast cancer.

Rowena Wallace, who is head of business development for Darlington-based Wharton Construction, is raising money for Breast Cancer Now, which funds research in to a disease that claimed 11,499 lives between 2016 and 2018.

Rowena, from Northallerton, was motivated to pull on her running shoes after her mum Teresa Thompson was diagnosed during the first Covid-19 lockdown with lobular carcinoma, a particularly invasive form of breast cancer.

Rowena said: “She found it quite by chance and fortunately it was both diagnosed and treated very quickly.

“The surgeons removed a 7cm tumour, and she then underwent a mastectomy followed by radiotherapy and is now on daily medication.

Read more: Scarlett Moffatt issues warning after 'scary' incident sees man follow her off train

"Thankfully, she’s recovering but I know the great toll it has had on her both physically and mentally – which is why I wanted to do something positive to contribute towards eradicating this terrible disease.”

Rowena initially joined the ‘Couch to 5k’ programme and has since built up the distance until she is ready for her first 13.1 mile half marathon on Sunday September 11.

Her efforts are being supported by family-run Wharton Construction, which is sponsoring her, alongside individual members of staff.

She said: “I’ll be thinking of my mum and the many thousands of women who receive the same devastating diagnosis every year on my way round.

“It’s the world’s biggest and best half marathons, so I’m excited to be taking part and pleased I’m running on behalf of Britain’s largest breast cancer charity.”

Matthew Wharton, a director of Wharton Construction, said: “We’re all immensely proud of Rowena, given that that until very recently she was a complete non-runner.

“Not only has she shown a great deal of determination to enter the Great North Run, but she is doing it for a magnificent cause and everyone at Wharton Construction is tremendously proud of her.”

Donations to the cause can be made here.

Read next:

Swimmer contends with jellyfish and a shark on incredible length of Britain swim

Man who lost wife to Covid wins £16k in prizes and says 'she's looking down on him'

Drivers warned to expect FIVE WEEKS of roadworks on one of region's most 'dangerous' roads

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here