SHARON Gaffka’s mother Linda has faced one of the biggest challenges of her life – fighting cancer.

Now Miss Gaffka, 17, a former pupil at Didcot Girls’ School, is hoping to give her mum a boost after she won a place in the finals of Miss Teen Great Britain 2013.

After winning this year’s Miss Teen Oxford title, Miss Gaffka, who is studying A-Levels at Didcot Sixth Form College, is through to the national final.

The teenager will travel to Blackpool for the contest on August 31 and September 1, to compete in the category for 16 to 19-year-olds.

She is hoping to beat 60 other contestants to cheer up mum Linda Gaffka, 42, who has been suffering bowel cancer.

Miss Gaffka, who lives off Manor Crescent with Linda, dad Robert, 44, and brother Adam, 14, said: “My mum is my inspiration. I’m hoping to win for her.

“She got bowel cancer which spread to her liver, but she has had all her surgery now and got the all-clear on November 1. After all my mum has been through it would be great if I could win.”

Miss Gaffka, who works part-time at McDonald’s at the Milton Interchange, has been studying for A-Levels in politics, English literature and economics, and is competing for the chance to win £1,000 and a modelling portfolio.

She added: “I’ve been involved in pageants for years and I entered to see what luck I would have, and then I won Miss Teen Oxford.”

Miss Gaffka said she sold raffle tickets last year to help raise about £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support after her mum was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

She added: “I’m running my own pageant in mid-August at Didcot Civic Hall. It’s all to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Ronald McDonald House at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

“If I win the £1,000 cash prize I will use the money to expand my own pageant, so I can raise more money for charity locally.”

The teenager will receive her A-Level results in August, and is hoping to achieve at least three B grades.

The Miss Teen Great Britain contest is run by Pageant Girl, based in Warrington, Cheshire. Girls battle it out through an interview with a panel of judges, followed by catwalk and fashion and evening wear rounds.

Contestants can win a range of prizes including £1,000 cash, dresses, a crown, make-up and a photo shoot.

Contestant co-ordinator Corinna Paterson said: “Sharon has a place in the final and we look forward to seeing her in Blackpool at The Globe.”