One decade on from the heartbreaking loss of her mother to cervical cancer, Yvonne Underwood is determined to run her first half marathon today ‘in memory of mum.’

Thirty-eight-year-old Yvonne, of Pembroke Dock, is taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon today, Sunday, October 19th, in order to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan nurses.

Yvonne told Western the Telegraph that she hoped her mum's story would help raise awareness of the awful disease which has affected so many lives.

“My mum, Gwyn Pickford, was diagnosed with cervical cancer which was treated initially with radiotherapy at Singleton Hospital,” she said.

“Unfortunately the treatment didn’t work and the cancer spread.”

Chemotherapy was the next step for Yvonne’s mum, who lived in Pembroke Dock, but eventually she was told that the cancer was too aggressive and there was nothing more that doctors could do. She died on September 21st, 1998, at the age of 58.

Yvonne continued: “I was five months pregnant when my Mum lost her battle so my daughter Carys sadly never got to meet her Nanny.”

Carys will be among the first young teenage girls to receive a vaccination helping to protect her from the same fate as her grandmother.

“My family has been extremely supportive of my efforts- particularly my daughter Carys ” said Yvonne, who works as Revenues Assistant for Pembrokeshire County Council .

“She has been my ‘trainer’ for a number of weeks, riding her bike alongside me while I run and shouting encouragement.”

Having taken up running seven years ago, Yvonne was inspired by her mother’s brave struggle and decided to sign up for the half marathon and do something positive in her memory. Next year she hopes to tackle the London Marathon as well.

“So much has happened in the ten years since mum died,” said Yvonne.

“My brother, Alun, got married the year after Mum died and while she had an input with the preparations, she unfortunately wasn't there on the day.

“My sister, Lee Morrissey, graduated from Trinity College, Carmarthen with an English Degree and is now an English Teacher at a local Comprehensive school.”

Karen Davis, of Cancer Research UK, wished Yvonne the best of luck, adding: "It's through the support of people like Yvonne that we can continue to investigate new ways to prevent and diagnose the disease and develop improved treatments."