TWO sisters whose mum battled and survived breast cancer are raising money for the charity they say helped to save her.

Christine Atkinson, 56, of Malton, said she feared the worst when a routine mammogram found she had the same cancer which took the life of her sister, Angela Liversedge.

Following an operation and treatment she is now in remission.

Christine's daughters Claire, 27, and Laura, 32, will take on the Great North Run half marathon this autumn to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign which gave her invaluable help.

Claire said about Breast Cancer Campaign: "This charity means a lot to me after seeing my mum go through treatment for breast cancer a couple of years ago. Seeing someone I love fight this terrible disease really made me realise how important research is to enable the correct treatment and support to the affected person.

"The charity means the world to us. Obviously if we didn't have that help we might be without our mum which is a very scary thought."

She said Breast Cancer Campaign was there to talk to Christine when she needed someone from outside her family to speak to, gave her advice on the best exercise to help with her rehabilitation and, crucially, had been involved in research to develop the medication which helped to save her life.

Claire, a personal trainer, and Laura, a nurse, have both started training for the race from Newcastle in September. Neither have run in a half marathon before.

Christine, 56, an auxiliary nurse, said she had received "marvellous treatment" when she was diagnosed at York Hospital.

She said about her daughters: "I think it's wonderful they are doing this. I was surprised but they surprise me everyday. I lost my sister to breast cancer and when they told me I had breast cancer that's where I thought I would be going.

"I hope to go on the day and support them."

To sponsor Claire and Laura, visit www.justgiving.com/Laura-Atkinson18/