A DAUGHTER whose parents have fought cancer four times has given up alcohol to fundraise for Cancer Research UK.

Wendy Taylor from Wheatley is giving up alcohol throughout January and hopes to raise £750 or more.

The 48-year-old beauty therapist’s mum and dad have each fought cancer two times.

Mrs Taylor’s 80-year-old dad Chas McHugh had bowel cancer in 2002 and is recovering from a lung cancer operation in November last year.

And her 73-year-old mum Margaret had womb cancer in 1992 and tongue cancer in 1996.

Mum-of-three Mrs Taylor said: “I just feel so lucky that my parents are such strong people. You have to be to be able to fight cancer four times.

“I remember being really worried every time. I was pregnant when my mum had tongue cancer so I didn’t tell her how worried I was for a while – I knew she would tell me not to fuss over her.

“She had to have a particularly horrible operation to cut out half her tongue so I was pureeing baby food for two.”

Mr and Mrs McHugh, also from Wheatley, have had a number of operations at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.

Mrs Taylor, who has been supported throughout the month by her children Caillin, 19, Carrie, 17, and Joe, 16, said: “I’m well known for liking my alcohol but I’m doing it because every pound helps Cancer Research UK bring forward the day that cancer can be beaten, which is what we all hope for.

“I had my birthday on the 12th of January too so I was the designated driver.

“I was originally aiming to raise £500 and when I told my teenagers that they laughed at me and said ‘don’t be stupid mum’. But I passed that within about 10 days so I am going for £750 now.”