A BRAVE young mum who is suffering from an inoperable brain tumour has described the ordeal as ‘like living with a time bomb’.

But fighter Kerry Cole, 24, instead of dwelling on her illness, said she was focussing her efforts on spending the ‘precious time’ she has left with her family, friends and most importantly, her three-year-old daughter Darcey Brooke.

Despite undergoing physically and emotionally draining treatments, Kerry dug deep to find the strength to complete last month’s Race for Life in Towneley Park in aid of Cancer Research and then the Pendleside Hospice Midnight Walk on Saturday.

Her courageous battle with the disease has inspired her friends to organise a sportsman’s dinner at Burnley Mechanics, where England’s 1966 World Cup heroes Sir Geoff Hurst MBE and Gordon Banks OBE, will be the guest speakers.

The aim of the event is to increase awareness about brain cancer and a donation will also be made to Pendleside Hospice.

When she was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma inoperable brain tumour in February last year, Kerry, who lives with her family in Burnley, was studying nursing at the University of Central Lancashire.

But the devastating news turned her world upside down instantly and she had to leave the course due to ill health.

She said: “When I was diagnosed with brain cancer I realised how ignorant I had been and that these things actually happened to real people.

“I wasn’t aware of cancer of the brain, different tumours or different treatments.

“I was in my own bubble, enjoying life and very much taking it for granted. Within a minute my whole world had stopped.

“The fear I felt strangely wasn’t for myself, but for my family and friends. How would this affect them. How could I be the mummy I wanted to be if I was poorly? I had so much planned, so much to do, this couldn’t be happening.

“I had never heard of an astrocytoma, but now one was growing inside my head. Myself, family and friends had to quickly educate ourselves on what was happening, as this was new to all of us.”

Treatment to remove the tumour has been unsuccessful and the cancer has progressed to grade 4, the most agressive.

But Kerry’s proud mum Janice said her ‘beautiful’ daughter has a strong support network made up of herself, her dad Thomas, sister Lyndsay, brother-in-law Jason, 10 year-old nephew Leon, niece Summer, who is one, and a large group of close friends.

She said: “Kerry is such an outgoing, funny young lady. She is beautiful inside and out and never complains.

“Not once have I heard her moan about having cancer. She just gets on with it and throws all her energy into making the most out of her life.

“She is a fantastic mummy to Darcey and has already given her a lifetime of love and memories.

“Kerry is an inspiration to everyone and we are all so proud of her strength and courage.

“You think you can protect your child from anything, but cancer destroys that. It takes it all out of your hands. Some days are good and some are real downers, but I believe with all the support that we have through family and friends, we can get through anything.”

Kerry said that brain tumours receive less than one per cent of Cancer Research spending The former Burnley Wood Primary and Towneley High pupil is urging people to attend the Mechanics event, which will also features a comedian, MC, two-course meal, and tea and coffee.

She said: “Living with a brain tumour is similar to living with a time bomb and regardless of all the support is a very lonely journey.

“That is why events like the England 66 Reunion are hugely important to raise awareness of brain tumours, to raise much-needed money for treatments and research, and also to remind, not only myself but many other fighters that we are not alone.”

The England 66 Reunion dinner takes place at Burnley Mechanics in Manchester Road at 7pm on Thursday June 17.

Tickets cost £40 and are limited to 200. Discounts are available for tables of eight or more. Call 01282 422212.