A DAUGHTER has honoured the life of a much-loved mum who died of cancer by giving back to a cause close to her heart.

Mai Harrison has paid tribute to her late mother Sheree Hamrick, who died of lung cancer at the age of 63.

Mrs Hamrick, who was originally from New York and lived in North Carolina, was visiting her daughter Mai in Barrow in the summer of 2019 when her health took a turn for the worse.

The mum-of-one had been experiencing chest pains for a while but was deemed safe to travel to Cumbria from her home in the US.

It was during her trip to visit her daughter, son-in-law and grandson that she was told the devastating news that she had stage four lung cancer.

“Everything happened really quickly,” said Mrs Harrison, a former teaching assistant at Sacred Heart Primary School.

“In the two weeks between diagnosis and rushing home for treatment, mom sought the help and support of CancerCare in Barrow.”

The charity’s base in Duke Street offers counselling, complementary therapy and specialist children's services for people affected by cancer and bereavement.

“They really helped her get her mind used to this new reality,” Mrs Harrison said.

“They offered my family counselling and therapy. I accessed the hypnotherapy they offered. They were just so supportive.”

In December 2020 Mrs Hamrick’s cancer progressed and she sadly died in April 2021.

Mrs Harrison, who has lived in Furness for the past 13 years after meeting her Barrovian husband in Prague, described her mum as ‘fun’ and ‘very adventurous’.

The 44-year-old said: “My mum had quite a sarcastic sense of humour but she was never cruel about it.

“She was fun to spend time with and was very adventurous. That’s something I got from her – we were very close.

“She was passionate about civil rights and equality which is something I hope to continue and live up to. I see more of her in myself in a lovely way.”

Since her death Mrs Harrison said CancerCare has been the family’s ‘lifeline’ in providing support.

The mum-of-one said: “The support they give cancer patients, and their families is truly extraordinary. I owe them so much.

“One thing that is incredibly special about CancerCare is that you’re working with people with experience in grief counselling and they can offer up to 20 sessions of talking therapies.

“And it’s a local group and the people in it are passionate about the services they provide.

“To have been able to access the support by CancerCare after getting through the last year feeling like we weren’t able to see a light or a way to get through the grief was beyond words.

“They allowed us to help appreciate what we do have.”

When entries opened for the annual Coniston to Barrow walk, Mrs Harrison knew she wanted to give back to the charity who helped her through her darkest moments.

“When K2B came around, it was a chance for me to give back to CancerCare after they helped me more then they could describe,” Mrs Harrison, who volunteers at CandoFM, said.

“And doing the C2B was something mum would have been proud of.”

Last weekend Mrs Harrison began the 21-mile trek from Coniston to Barrow and managed to raise £855 for CancerCare.

“Everyone cheered everyone on – it was a great atmosphere,” she said.

“I have been so lucky in that people have been incredibly generous and we were able to raise a lot of money for CancerCare.

“The support has been overwhelming. We’ve taken something terrible turned it into something meaningful to me.

“Since mom’s death in April 2021, CancerCare has supported our whole family. I will never be able to thank the staff, counsellors and volunteers at CancerCare for the compassion and care they have shown me. The money raised means they can help even more people and families during the hardest of times.”

To make a donation, visit: https://keswick2barrow.co.uk/donate/141880?cid2=141880