A teacher from Streatham is set to take part in the London Marathon after being inspired by her mum’s life-changing cancer diagnosis.

Yasmin Chambers, 28, who teaches at Glenbrook Primary School in Clapham, is preparing for the world-famous race which is taking place in October.

The 28-year-old teacher is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for Macmillian Cancer Support who have been there for her mum Jennifer since her stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis.

Speaking to Wandsworth Times, Yasmin said: “My amazing mum was diagnosed with cancer in November 2020.

"She is an active, 47-year-old mum-of-three, who had no symptoms but got diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, after thinking she just had anxiety due to lockdown.

"She also initially received a misdiagnosis, being told that her symptoms were due to the menopause.

“We now know that her cancer went undetected for 5 years and by the time it eventually was found, the diagnosis was stage 4 and the cancer had spread to the liver.

"She is currently on her last round of chemo and is hoping that they will be able to operate."

This Is Local London: Yasmin Chambers Yasmin Chambers

Yasmin went onto say that her family's world "changed very fast" after the diagnosis.

"I’m her eldest child and have a 20-year-old brother and a 9-year-old sister. Our mum is our inspiration," she said.

“To keep active and her spirits up, Mum decided to start an Instagram blog (@fittobeatcancer) and also began fundraising for Macmillan by running, walking or cycling 5k a week – when her treatment would allow.

"She initially set a target of £2,000 – she raised it in less than 48 hours! She then re-set the target to £4,000. Another 48 hours later and she reached that goal too.

"She has now fundraised almost £9,000, which is just incredible.

"I have a 9-year-old sister and Macmillan have even supported us on how to help her with our mum’s diagnosis.

“It’s my aim to run a marathon and contribute at least £4,000 to my mum’s amazing total for Macmillan, who have lifted my mum’s spirits and given us all hope when at times it felt like we were just receiving bad news after bad news.

“I can’t say that I’m not looking forward to that finish line…those miles are looking very daunting at the minute!

"But it will be a good challenge and is a goal I have always wanted to achieve.

"I also feel really lucky to be taking part; I have friends who’ve been trying to get a place for years, so I feel very privileged to be running while raising money for my mum and Macmillan along the way."

Paul Lyons, Macmillan Relationship Fundraising Manager for London said: “The pandemic has had a devastating impact on Macmillan’s income, with thousands of crucial fundraising events cancelled.

"All at a time when people living with cancer need our support more than ever to help navigate through what continues to be an incredibly anxious period.

“The vital funds raised by inspirational individuals like Yasmin, will help us continue to do whatever it takes to be there for everyone living with cancer from day one of their diagnosis.”

Macmillan Cancer Support is the official charity partner of this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, taking place on October 3.

Yasmin has raised £555.00 at the time of publishing. To donate visit here.

To donate to mum Jennifer's page visit smashingcancerwithjen.