With her determined spirit, Glenda Graham didn’t allow cancer to stand in the way of a major fundraising challenge.

Despite battling the disease for almost 10 years, Glenda set her sights on completing the popular Colour Run which saw her walking, rather running, through a rainbow spray of paint and bubbles.

Inspired by the need to raise cash for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, Glenda ran and walked 5k with husband Mark, son Phillip and grandsons Lennon and Archie to raise £1,658.

For those who think about doing such a challenge but don’t get around to it, Glenda, 56, is an inspiration having fought tumours throughout her body.

With a sparkling sense of humour and deep love of her family, Glenda travels back and forward from Carlisle to Newcastle for appointments in the Freeman Hospital, known as a centre for excellence in the treatment of cancer.

In 2010 a deep-set tumour was discovered in Glenda’s breast after she went to her doctor with pins and needles. Following a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Glenda believed she was clear of the disease.

Four years later cancer was discovered again on the same side and she had a mastectomy, only for tumours to return in 2015 in her other breast.

“I was shocked. Unfortunately, tumours were later discovered in my lymph nodes and then I found out it had spread to my brain,” she said.

“I had surgery to remove a tumour from my cerebellum last year. Two smaller ones were treated with radiosurgery but another four were found. I now have tumours in my brain, neck and spine.”

Glenda, who works part-time in the conveyancing department of Burnetts law firm in Carlisle, has now started on chemotherapy tablets.

She said: “I am more tired and can’t do as much as I used to, but we had a great holiday in Cornwall this summer with some nice walks on the beach.

“I like to keep busy for my physical and mental wellbeing. I spend one day a week at the hospice day centre which is wonderful. I meet the same group of people every Tuesday and we have built up a good relationship as everyone is in the same boat.

“We do crafts together like knitting and cross stitch. There is alternative therapy, a quiz, music sessions, talks and bingo. There is always something going on and if we have any worries, we can ask the staff.”

Recently Glenda and others from the Carlisle Breast Care Support Group took part in a sponsored bag pack at Tesco to help the Cumberland Infirmary buy new equipment which means breast cancer patients don’t need to have a guide wire inserted on the day of surgery.

The money raised by Glenda and all the fundraisers at the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw will help the charity to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to children and adults with life-limiting illnesses.