IN THE five years since she was told she had breast cancer, mum-of-two Deb Hunt has dived from a plane, walked a marathon through London in her bra and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Now she is doing the Pink Ribbonwalk for the charity which helped her through some of her darkest days.

The event takes place at Blenheim on Saturday, May 11, when hundreds of female participants will trace either a 10-mile and 20-mile route through the palace grounds and surrounding villages.

They will be raising funds for Breast Cancer Care, which offers support and advice to sufferers.

Mrs Hunt, 48, from Middle Barton, said: “I’ve taken part in quite a few fundraising events since I had cancer, but this one will be special because Breast Cancer Care was particularly helpful to me during my treatment.

“It was five years ago this April 1 that I was diagnosed. I found a lump in my breast in the shower, made an urgent GP appointment and waited for the results of tests.

“I couldn’t believe it when they told me I had breast cancer. I was only 43, I had two children aged 13 and 15 and I had no family history of cancer – I wasn’t even in a high risk group. “But I knew I had to stay positive and get on with things, so I said: “Right, what can I do about this?”

Mrs Hunt, a charity worker for the Oxfordshire Association of Young People, underwent a full, single mastectomy within two weeks of her diagnosis, followed by 18 weeks of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy.

She said: “On the day I finished my radiotherapy I walked out of hospital and said I was going to do a skydive. My family thought the chemo had affected my mind.

“But I did it in May 2009 for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity and then my friends said they would like to be involved in something too.

“So we came up with the plan to climb Kilimanjaro, which we did in September 2010, raising £30,000.”

Now she is focusing on her latest challenge. She said: “I am doing the Pink Ribbonwalk alone and as with all the events I have done I think it will be an amazing experience, full of camaraderie and the chance to feel I am really doing something for others.

“During and after my treatment Breast Cancer Care provided me with so much information about what I was going through and what I could expect.

“Although my husband Martin and I were completely honest with our children, Dan and Erin, and we got through a lot of what happened with humour, it was great to know I could get the information and reassurance I needed without bothering them unduly and I’m thrilled that I can now give something back to this great charity.”

Ribbonwalk registration costs £30, with walkers required to raise a minimum of £175 sponsorship. The event is followed by a village fete-style celebration including a medal, free barbeque, massage and entertainment. Register to take part at: pinkribbonwalk.org.uk