Newquay, Cornwall bride's mother died on day of her wedding

Lara Heaney from Newquay was encouraged to carry on with her wedding nuptials despite her mum’s tragic death on the morning of her big day.

Lara will be joined by her friends for Pretty Muddy at Stithians Showground in Truro on Saturday 20 May to remember her mum.

It should have been one of the happiest days of Lara’s life, but in the early hours of Saturday, October 8, 2016 – her wedding day – Lara was faced with a bitter-sweet tragedy when she discovered her mum had died of pancreatic cancer.

Lara's wedding day (Image: Cancer Research UK)

Now Lara is raising money for Cancer Research UK in honour of her mum Ann, by taking part in the 5k Pretty Muddy at Stithians Showground in Truro on May 20.

The day will be one of making memories as Lara takes on the muddy obstacle course with her friends, remembering her mum who dedicated her life to working for the NHS.

Lara, 36, who works for Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay, explained: “Mum came out for a drink for my hen do just two nights before the wedding and smiled through the pain.

“Her determination to live her life to the fullest to the very end, is something that will stay with us forever.

“The night before the wedding I went round to the accommodation where she was staying with my dad, and the rest of our family. We laughed, smiled and I went home to get ready for my big day.

“On the morning at 6am on my wedding day, there was a knock at the door, I leapt out of bed ready for my hair and make-up..... but it was my dad letting me know my mum had gone!

“With her last breath and my dad by her side she had told him the day must go on.

“I don’t know how we all kept it together, but through the love and support of my family, we made it and carried out mum’s wish that the wedding should carry on.

“The priest had made the announcement of mum’s death at the packed church of 200 guests before I arrived and I understand it was handled beautifully.

Lara and picture of her mum (Image: Cancer Research UK)

“Dad made a speech as planned at the reception and included mum’s death of course in the speech. The sun came out the second we left the church, which felt like we were really being looked down upon, I even got sunburnt.

“No one ever forgets our wedding anniversary now, myself and my husband Sean always have a cocktail and remember mum and whenever the sun comes out, I know mum is looking down.

“Since her death I mark our wedding anniversary and her death by going for a walk on the headland in Newquay. It gives me time to reflect and to remember her. I miss her every day.”

Ann worked for the NHS at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital, focusing on children’s health and heart surgery.

She found out about her diagnosis following a trip back from Australia in March 2016 with her husband Andrew, having seen their daughter Sarah, son in law Luke and grandson Toby who live in Brisbane.

Lara said: “Mum thought she was just jet lagged as she felt tired and had a pain in her back. After a while she went to see her doctor who gave her blood tests and checked for any gall stone problems.

“But on March 10th, which is my brother’s birthday, we found out that mum had been diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer, which had spread to her liver and we were told it was not treatable.

“With a three-month prognosis we feel very blessed and privileged that she made it to the wedding day as she promised.

“Pancreatic cancer is such an aggressive cancer with such easily missed symptoms! My mum fought with everything she had to spend more time with us all and we miss her every day.”

Ann was aged 60 and before she died, she got to enjoy a concert by her favourite band - Take That - in London- with Lara by her side and managed to enjoy days out with her husband Andrew.

Lexi on left Lara in middle (Image: Cancer Research UK)

Her friend Lexi will be taking part with her, who was also at her wedding and the girls have decided to make it a day to remember.

Entries open now for all to take part. There is also the chance for boys and girls aged five to 12 to take part in Pretty Muddy Kids - their own version of the fun event.

All obstacles on the Pretty Muddy course are designed with fun in mind and participants are free to skip past any which they don’t want to do. Obstacles include a scramble net, tunnels to crawl through, a mud pit, a climbing frame, space hoppers and a giant inflatable slide into a mud pool as a finale.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org