A WOMAN who fought breast cancer twice plans to take on a Cuba cycle challenge to raise money for the charity Women versus Cancer.

Since 2011 Gill James, formerly of Hillardsland near Symonds Yat, has been fighting breast cancer after spending five years in remission.

Now she says she intends to get on her bike and raise money for the charity which supports sufferers and their families of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer.

She said: "I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 44. I underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for 12 months. The year after I started a new job and bought a Boardman road bike which I used for pleasure and work. In 2011, I decided to undertake the Women versus Cancer cycle challenge but unfortunately just as I started my training, after five years in remission, a routine mammogram picked up cancer in my left breast.

"Once again I underwent treatment and fingers crossed I am determined to do my challenge this year."

Gill will cycle 400km alongside 60 other ladies on May 1 to raise a minimum of £4,000 for charity.

She said: "I chose this charity because having six years between cancers information has changed radically. There has never been a lot of information only the basic leaflet is given, government money is best used for treating people with cancer, and I agree.

"But having cancer is frightening for the families as well as the person, so I thought let us raise money for information. I have raised nearly £2,000 already but desperate to raise a bit more."