A desperate fundraising drive has been launched, to help a mum pay for her wedding and her funeral.

Two weeks ago Susan Rumney’s world came crashing down, when she was told she had cervical cancer which had spread to her pelvis.

The 26-year-old, originally from Aspatria but now of Workington, was forced to come to terms with the fact that not only is she battling cancer, but the disease is so far advanced it is incurable.

She admits she is now scared of going to sleep, fearful that each time she closes her eyes could be her last.

Susan, now of Northside, is mother to Grayson, one, Lexie, three, and Mackenzie, eight, and her partner also has a son, Leo, 10.

Doctors have said Susan can buy some precious extra time with her family if she undergoes chemotherapy, and so began the gruelling treatment this week.

Now those around her are rallying around to try and make her dream of marrying fiancé Jay Clark a reality.

Susan’s sister Lisa, 24, of Whitehaven, has set up an online fundraising to try and raise the money to give her a dream wedding... and then use the excess money to later take the pressure off the grieving family and pay for Susan’s funeral when the time comes.

Lisa said: “The diagnosis was a real shock and Susan is petrified; she’s scared of going to sleep and not waking up.

“The chemo can’t cure her cancer but it can prolong her life and keep her out of pain.”

Susan and Jay, 38, have been together for many years and the thought of being able to fulfil their wedding dream has provided a ray of light during these tough days.

“They’re definitely a loving couple,” Lisa continued, “and Jay has really stepped up and is doing an amazing job at looking after the children while Susan is in hospital.

“I can’t believe how generous people have been.

“My experience of life and people hasn’t been great, but for everyone to show us all this love has really changed my view of the world.

“It has definitely picked Susan up too; it’s something to look forward to. Someone has offered to go to hospital and show her some wedding dresses, which is beautiful.”

The appeal has raised more than £5,000 in less than a week.

Susan’s diagnosis comes towards the end of an already tough year, as her mum passed away suddenly in January.

Lisa said: “I barely leave the house due to my anxiety and mental health, but this is about Susan and what we’ve got to do for however long she’s got - we know the cancer will beat her.”

Susan started having a pain in her leg at about the time her mum died. She sought medical advice and doctors initially put it down to a blood clot, before later changing their diagnosis to sepsis.

However, two weeks ago she found out the real cause of her pain - and with it the devastating diagnosis.

Lisa said: “The older children know that she has cancer, but the younger two don’t really understand.

“They just know she’s poorly and goes in and out of hospital. It’s heartbreaking.”

To support Susan and her family visit tinyurl.com/y7hgrjzj