A MAN from Rhyl says he takes “so much inspiration” from his mum and has followed in her footsteps when it comes to raising money for charity.

Mark Thomas, 55, says he looks up to mum Margaret - who has fought different forms of cancer no less than six times.

Yet, despite her own personal battles, she has managed to raise more than £50,000 for the likes of Cancer Research UK during a 40-year stretch of fundraising activities.

Margaret, who lives in Holyhead on Anglesey, was awarded an MBE for her charity six years ago and underwent heart bypass surgery three years later.

She is now still in remission but has just recently raised a further £1050 for the Holyhead Cancer Support Group through collecting raffle tickets.

“She’s a real hero and a true fighter,” Mark said.

“Because of her I've been inspired to do some fundraising of my own. I give money to several charities and also pay for people's taxi fares, board and so on when they visit family at Bodelwyddan Hospital."

Mrs Thomas received an MBE for her services to charity in 2012. She received a letter of notice before heading to Buckingham Palace to be honoured.

"I met Prince Charles who was absolutely lovely," said the 79-year-old.

"I enjoy raising money for charity - particularly for beast cancer causes as I believe the number of people suffering from this now is on the rise. I myself have had breast cancer twice."

Mrs Thomas has also battled a melanoma in her leg and more recently, a pollips "the size of an orange".

"You can beat cancer, you just have to stay positive," she added.

"I'd like to thank everyone who's supported my fundraising over the years, including those over in Dublin, where my brother used to live."