A STUDENT will be leading a dance-a-thon on Friday to raise cash in memory of her mother who died from breast cancer.

Laura Woods, 19, of St Paul's Road, Preston, will be leading 100 fellow Preston College students in a quest to raise more than £3,000 for Breast Cancer Care.

Her mother, Travena Anne, died four years ago and the teenager has tried to do something every year to raise awareness about the disease and raise cash for cancer charities.

"It is very important to me to do something to remember my mum, more important than my dancing," said Laura, who is in the second year of a professional dance course at the St Vincent's Road college and hoping to pursue a career in jazz dance or ballet. "I don't think young people know enough about it or are aware about what they need to do.

"It's scary how many people do not know about the risks. Women should be checking themselves all the time.

"Two years ago I organised a charity sit down dinner at Solo restaurant in Goosnargh, it raised £1,500, this year I am hoping for £3,000.

"I personally did not do anything last year because I work at Brown's bar and they had a special event."

Laura was only 15, and her sister Hayley, 11, when their mother died after a ten-year battle with the disease.

"We grew up with her being ill, but it was a very difficult time when she died," she said.

"She was so young it would have been her 47th birthday last week."