A 28-year-old mum-of-two who had a breast removed just two days after being diagnosed is using her experience of the devastating disease to help others.

Vicky Hardcastle, a Bradford South PCT management assistant from Wibsey, took part in a four-mile Crocus Walk at the weekend to raise cash for Breakthrough Breast Cancer - despite the fact that she is halfway through chemotherapy to beat the disease.

She is determined to do all she can to boost awareness of breast cancer and fundraise for research to help sufferers survive.

She said: "It's very important, it really needs to be brought to the public eye because it's rife really.

"You don't realise until it actually affects you."

Vicky had a mastectomy in October after finding out she had a cancerous lump in her breast.

"I was absolutely devastated. There was no history in my family and I was so young. It was awful," she said.

But support from medical staff and family and friends as well as the treatment to banish the disease has provided Vicky with hope.

She is counting the days to her final chemotherapy session in May. If the treatment is a success, she will be free of medication, except for hormone tablets, within three years.

Vicky put her best foot forward on Saturday's Crocus Walk, surrounded by about 30 neighbours and friends.

Ruth Aminzadeh of Idle was one of the women walking alongside Vicky.

Her sister died from breast cancer in November aged just 49.

She said fundraising was essential to help cover the cost of vital research into breast cancer.

"Cancer in some form or another affects everybody," she said.

Organisers Sue Hartley, Julie Atkins and Jan Foster, all from Shelf, took part in the 26-mile Moonwalk, in aid of cancer research, in London last year.

And this year the women decided to hold a scaled-down version by organising a shorter walk locally.

Jan, whose mother died of breast cancer in 2004, said the district fundraiser meant more of their money could go towards the cause, rather than on the travel and cost of staying in London.

"Rather than spend all that money going down to London we thought we could do this and hopefully more money would go to the charity," she said. The women invited family and friends to try out the idea.

And it was deemed such a success that the group have pledged to do the same next year, but on a larger scale.

Jan said £358 was raised on the day, with each participant putting in £10 to take part.

Sponsorship will be collected over the coming week, and organisers hope up to £1000 in total will be raised.

"Next year we have decided we are going to try and expand the day to make it a bit bigger," she said.