A MUM who was diagnosed with breast cancer will walk the historic grounds of Blenheim Palace to raise funds for the charity that supported her during her treatment.

Joanna Clark, of Long Hanborough, was diagnosed with the disease in April last year and has since had surgery and radiotherapy at the Churchill Hospital in Headington.

Now, after finishing treatment, the 56-year-old is preparing to walk 10 miles for Breast Cancer Care’s Pink Ribbonwalk at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, to thank the charity for giving her support and advice.

The mum-of-one said: “I would never have got where I am now without Breast Cancer Care. Their support has been invaluable.

“As soon as I found out about the Pink Ribbonwalk, I signed up because I wanted to thank them for all their help.”

Ms Clark, whose daughter Georgia was taking her A-levels at the time, had been for a routine mammogram when doctors found a 2cm lump in her left breast.

She said: “It was all very sudden and a monumental shock. I had no symptoms whatsoever and I couldn’t even feel the lump when they told me it was there.

“I cried all afternoon when I got back from the hospital but when I knew Georgia was coming home from school I washed my face and put my make up on and was as positive as I could be about it.

“I told her the lump was tiny, which it was. I was truthful but I didn’t show her I was upset. She was in shock when I told her but she was very brave.”

During her treatment, Ms Clark turned to Breast Cancer Care’s helpline, which provides practical and emotional advice to people affected by breast cancer. She used the charity’s Someone Like Me service to speak to two women who had also experienced breast cancer, which she described as a 'lifeline'.

Ms Clark will take part in the Pink Ribbonwalk just weeks after what she hopes will be her final appointment. She will then return to hospital for annual mammograms.

The charity is inviting women, men and children to sign up now and start training for a five, 10 or 20 mile walk at the palace on May 20.

The Pink Ribbonwalk registration fee is £32.50 for adults and £15 for children. Receive 20 per cent off by signing up with the code BLEN5 by February 28.

Those who can’t make the event at Blenheim Palace are encouraged to organise their own Pink Ribbonwalk and encourage their friends and family to take part.

To sign up or organise your own, go to www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ribbonwalk.