A MUM of two who has been diagnosed with cancer twice will take on a fundraising challenge next month to "give something back".

Emma-Jane Reay and a team of friends will cover 6.55 miles on Saturday, June 11 as part of Walk the Walk's The MoonWalk Scotland which takes place in Edinburgh.

The 41-year-old has been battling breast cancer since 2014, having discovered she had the disease shortly after the birth of her second son Niall.

She received treatment the year of her diagnosis and returned to work early in 2015, but later found out there was another primary source of the cancer.

Although the Sauchie resident – who is a social care practitioner – is still fighting it, she has set her mind to helping others in similar circumstances.

First up, she will take on the midnight fundraising walk, now in its 20th year, in a few weeks to get her fitness levels up and raise money for grant making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

She also hopes to be able to fundraise for other charities that have shown her support – like Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now – further down the line.

She said: "The charities like Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now are there to walk side-by-side with you from the first day.

"When most family and friends are still coming to terms with the diagnosis, these charities are there 24/7 with care, support and information to allow you to have a lifeline.

"You can call their helpline free when you're at a loose end.

"The reason I wanted to give something back to these charities is because when I was at my lowest and darkest time, I felt alone and scared.

"I struggled to approach family and friends although close members saw all I was going through, but didn't really understand or I hid a lot.

"But all this costs money and they rely on donations so that's why I'm doing Walk the Walk – to give something back.

"I just feel no-one should feel alone and isolated when living with cancer."

Emma-Jane, who also has an 11-year-old son called Lennon, has found comfort in the charity forums, amongst other things.

These have allowed her to speak to others with some experience of what she is going through and to accept that the road is a rocky one.

She said dealing with cancer has been an "uphill struggle" but it has made her appreciate the small things in life and relationships – taking nothing for granted.

Despite still trying to bounce back from the range of treatment she has received, she is all set to take on the walk in the hopes of raising £1,000.

Her children, and those who haven't managed to conquer the disease, will be what keeps her going in the run-up and on the day.

She is also incredibly keen to raise awareness of breast cancer and wants people to be aware of any changes in their body.

She said: "Research is the vital key of survival rates and the money raised for breast cancer will produce a reliable permanent cue. 

"So by me doing this walk I will feel, probably, I'm doing what I can to help. 

"I'm doing it for all who have had or passed from cancer, I'm doing it for me and my boys. I need to start fighting back with what ever I can to take control."

Emma-Jane and her team will be leaving Clackmannanshire in a bus on Saturday, June 11, to head to The MoonWalk Scotland.

Anyone who would like to share transport is invited to get in touch.

For more details and to donate, please visit her fundraising link.