A mum-of-two is on the verge of being crowned Cancer Research UK’s most inspirational fundraiser.

Angela Smith raised £850 during a Race for Life event despite herself being diagnosed with cancer.

The 34-year-old was told by doctors last October that she had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and cancer in her tongue and tonsils.

She has since been through months of gruelling treatment which included four weeks of daily radiotherapy sessions and six cycles of chemotherapy.

The treatments ended six weeks ago but took a physical toll, causing her hair to fall out and leaving her short of breath.

Despite all this, Angela took part in the Race for Life at Mote Park in Maidstone on July 9.

Her story has meant that she is now one of seven people on a shortlist for the competition being run on Facebook, which received thousands of nominations.

The vote will end tomorrow (Friday) and, at the time of going to press, Angela had 276 votes, 31 more than the nearest other contestant.

Her mum, Maggie Wallace, of Kent Avenue, Minster, paid tribute to her daughter.

She said: “We would love it if she won, she really deserves it. She has been so brave.

“She woke up on New Year’s Day to find lots of her hair on her pillow, so to go from that to this is just incredible.”

Angela now lives in Maidstone with her husband and two children, 10-year-old son Sam and two-year-old daughter Sarah.

She lived on the Island for 12 years until she moved two years ago.

She has been returning to the Island for rehabilitation and recovery at the Harmony Therapy Trust at Stonnes in Halfway Road, Sheerness.

Her mother, sister Vicki Crosby, 29, and brothers Alex, 17, and Derek, 13, still live on Sheppey and have supported her throughout her battle with cancer.

Angela is awaiting her final check-ups and scans to see whether the cancer is in full remission and has a consultant appointment next month.

• To vote for Angela, visit Facebook, search for the Cancer Research UK page and click on the questions link.