By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 13:19, Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Inspired by her terminally-ill sister, Karen Lucock is pulling out all the stops to be part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Tom and Karen Lucock

The Carlisle mum wants to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support as she knows there is a strong chance her older sibling will need help from the charity in the long run.

Daryl Rankine, 62, of Millholme Avenue in Currock, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer two years ago.

“It was a real shock. Me and my sister are really close. There are six of us altogether but she was 13 when I was born and our mum was working nights so she helped to look after me. She was like a second mum to me,” she said.

The family were left devastated when they were told she had about 18 months left to live. Since then the cancer has spread but Daryl, who has a three-year-old grandson, has continued to fight on.

In that time she has been in and out of hospital – being rushed in to intensive care as recently as last week.

But Karen, 49, says her brave sister is an inspiration – continuing to battle whatever life throws at her.

And it is that courage which has prompted her to join Macmillan’s annual coffee morning campaign – which will see simultaneous events held across the globe.

“I wanted to do something for Macmillan. We’ve already had some help from them, financial advice, and there’s a strong chance my sister will need Macmillan nurses at some point,” she said.

“Last year I did the Midnight Walk for the hospice for the same reason. I raised nearly £1,000 for them.

“This year I wanted to take part in the coffee morning.”

Karen’s event, organised with help from her 21-year-old son Thomas, will take place on Saturday, September 29 at 10am in St Herbert’s Church hall on Blackwell Road.

Open to everyone, it will be much more than just a coffee morning – with stalls selling everything from perfume and jewellery to baby clothes and handmade cards.

She has roped in lots of friends to bake cakes and is also organising a raffle with lots of donated prizes.

Karen lost one of her eyes after contracting toxoplasmosis when she was just three-years-old. She said that was a tough time for her family, including Daryl, and she wished there had been more support available back then to help them deal with it.

“Since she was diagnosed with cancer it’s been really difficult, but it’s nice to know there is support out there when you need it. That’s why I am doing this,” she said.

First published at 11:29, Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk