A DEVOTED group of friends are running a smear test drive in honour of a mum who lost her battle with secondary cancer.

Sarah Glover died in 2014 aged 36, just weeks after being given the all clear from cervical cancer, leaving behind two young boys.

In honour of what would have been Miss Glover’s 40th Birthday on May 16, her friends, who formed the charitable group Sarah’s Angels, are encouraging women to go for a smear test.

Group member Louise Turnball said: “We want to get women talking to their friends about smear tests.

“The simple test takes minutes and could potentially be life-saving.

“Rather than putting off booking an appointment, we want people to go and get checked out.

“We want people to realise that ‘smear’ isn’t a dirty word.”

According to the NHS approximately 3,000 women are diagnosed cervical cancer though the cervical screening test which are offered to women over the age of 25.

Sarah’s Angel’s was formed by Rachael Bowker, Louise Turnbull, Caroline Plumbley, Joanne Sullivan and Vicki Singleton.

Since Miss Glover’s death, her friends have rallied together and have raised almost £10,000 for East Lancashire Hospice, where she received end of life care.

Miss Turnball said: “People always think that a hospice is somewhere older people go to die, but that’s so far from the truth.

“Sarah was one of my best friends and you take it for granted that your friends will always be around.”

Born in Germany in May 1977, Mis Glover moved to Darwen with her two younger brothers after her mother got married to Ron Speakman and set up their child-minding business in Blackburn Road.

She was a pupil at St Cuthbert's CE Primary School before going on to study at Darwen Vale High School.

She followed in her mother’s footsteps, working as a nursery nurse at Kittens Pre-school in Veronica Street.

Sarah’s Angels and Zest Cafe Lounge in Bolton Road, Darwen, have created a signature cocktail in memory of the mother-of-two, the proceeds of which will help raise money for the Blackburn-based hospice.

The ‘Sarah’s Angels’ drink was launched on May 6 at the group’s cocktail and cake fundraiser which raised £530 as part of the East Lancashire Corporate Challenge.

Sarah’s Angels have also set up a text donation for the East Lancashire Hospice and to donate £2 you can text SMEA49£2 to 70070.

The group are asking women to show their support and raise awareness for the smear drive by using #CheersForSmears on social media.

*Symptoms of cervical cancer to look out for include:

Blood spots or light bleeding between or following periods

Menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual

Bleeding after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic examination

Pain during sexual intercourse