A POLICE officer who has survived cancer was joined by two others in completing a gruelling charity challenge covering the length of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

PC Nina Caulkin, who works at Blackburn’s Greenbank police station, was given the bombshell news that she had breast cancer two years ago.

Things got worse for the 39-year-old when the cancer then spread to her lymph nodes.

But after having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the cancer was removed and she is now in a period of remission.

And PC Caulkin’s sobering experience has inspired her to raise money for cancer charity by completing the 127-mile canal walk in just four days.

She was joined on the walk by PC Rebecca House, who also works at Greenbank and Claire Dickinson, who have both also been touched by cancer.

PC Caulkin, who lives in Ribchester with husband Pete Caulkin and her two children Joe and Seth, said: “It was a difficult time when I had breast cancer.

“The hardest part was not knowing if I was going to be there to see my two boys grow up.

“Battling cancer makes you really appreciate life and live for today as you never know what’s round the corner.”

PC Caulkin said it was her own battle with cancer that she used for inspiration to complete the walk with her friends.

Starting on Wednesday in Liverpool and finishing in Leeds on Sunday, the trio walked the equivalent of five marathons long the canal towpath, raising over £2,000 for three different charities.

The fundraising has seen PC Caulkin raise money for the Rosemere Cancer Centre, while PC House has raised money for Queen’s Court Hospice in Southport and Ms Dickinson did so for Yorkshire Cancer Centre in Leeds.

PC Caulkin said: “The walk was tough and we’ve all got blisters on our feet and our bodies are aching.

“The last few miles were the hardest but we’re all so delighted to have completed it for such good causes.”

She has also warned woman to get checked out for breast cancer if they suspect they might have it.

She added: “I was a fit, seemingly healthy 37-year-old woman when I got cancer.

“So you just never know and need to be aware and get it checked if you think you might have it.”

To donate money to the trio, people can visit their Virgin Money Giving page: Walking 127 miles in 5 days.