A SINGLE mum who faced a gruelling battle against cancer will be among more than 80 survivors taking part in an emotional lap of honour at this year's Relay For Life.

Pre-school teacher Natasha Oxley, 33, was diagnosed with colon cancer in March last year, but is now in remission.

She will be among 82 men and women wearing special T-shirts bearing the word 'Survivor' as they step on to the Relay For Life track as their names are called at the Cancer Research UK fundraiser.

Proud children Summer, aged seven, and Arthur, two, will be with her at the event, which has raised a staggering £505,000 since it was launched in Clacton in 2010.

Natasha, from Kirby Cross, said: “Thankfully I am currently in remission at the moment. It all started when I was complaining of pain and after various doctors’ visits they put the pains I was experiencing down to reflux.

"However the pain didn’t subside so my Dad took me to the hospital where I stayed for three days as it was suspected appendicitis, but because of my age they didn't think it was urgent.

"It was only after a colonoscopy was done that they realised it was something more sinister and they decided to operate.

"After surgery I had a lot of chemotherapy and was given a number of drugs to help fight the cancer."

Natasha also suffered suffered a perforated bowel from the tumour which resulted in sepsis, so she had to spend a week in intensive care and another three weeks on a ward.

She added: "My Mum and Dad, my family and my best friend were amazing, but I’d also like to give a special mention to my surgeon, Mr Wynn, who saved my life and to Nicola Morgan at the Mary Baron Suite at Colchester General Hospital.

“It was a real struggle going through this whilst bringing up my two young children on my own.

"I’m taking part in Clacton Relay For Life as I want to say thank you to all the amazing people who fundraise to enable the researchers at Cancer Research UK to develop these life-saving treatments and procedures.

"I want my children to grow up in a world free from cancer and by supporting my local Relay, I will be playing a big part in helping to achieve this.”

This year's Relay For Life takes place at the Parish Playing Fields at Little Clacton from midday on July 15.

After the opening ceremony, members of the 34 teams taking part will crowd on to the track as the unique fundraising festival gets underway.

They then set off on a non-stop 24-hour relay, taking it in turns to run or walk so there is at least one member of each team on the track at all times.

The highlight of the event is the Candle of Hope ceremony at dusk. Special candles in bags decorated with touching messages – in memory or in celebration of loved ones – are illuminated around the track.

There is also live music, stalls, bouncy castles, face-painting, local dance groups, majorettes, tug-of-war, a barbecue and beer tent.

Last year's event raised a whopping £95,500.

Relay For Life chairman Jane Smith said: "It is a unique event with a celebratory atmosphere and everyone who joins in will take away something special.

“All the teams are coming together to celebrate their fundraising achievements.

"It's a day of hope and remembrance and a time when they can see that their efforts have really helped to make a difference.”