A COURAGEOUS young mum from Basingstoke has inspired hundreds of people by sharing her battle with breast cancer on Facebook.

Lucy Badham was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on April 22, the day after a three week dream holiday to New Zealand.

The 26-year-old mother-of-one decided to document her story on Facebook, and her positive posts have resulted in messages of support coming from all over the world.

Rather than looking for sympathy through the social networking site, Lucy has instead used her story to encourage people to check for lumps and to raise money for local cancer charities, generating nearly £1,000 in just two days.

Lucy, from Beggarwood, told The Gazette that her life was "turned upside down" when she received the diagnosis at Basingstoke hospital.

She explained: "Back in October I found a small lump in my left breast. Being only 26 I wasn't too concerned but thought I was best to go get it checked out anyway."

The owner of Elite Equestrian Services was sent for a scan and the results came back showing a benign lump, which was nothing to worry about.

But a few months later the lump had grown and this time Lucy was sent for a biopsy.

Lucy's follow-up appointment was booked for the day after she returned from New Zealand, when she received the shocking result.

She said: "When the doctor told me my results I just couldn't believe it, and I think he was pretty shocked too. I'm 26-years-old, it has never been in my family, I don't drink or smoke. I am now on a mission to make younger people more aware of this deadly C word. I hope my six-year old boy will be proud of me."

Lucy has vowed to remain positive throughout the ordeal and took to Facebook to encourage her friends and family to check for lumps whilst documenting her chemotherapy treatment.

Her posts have since been shared hundreds of times, as people across the world have been inspired by Lucy's humorous and positive updates.

Earlier this month she wrote: "The nurses have told me I will be losing my hair in pretty much the first week of [chemo] so today I am getting it cut short to save making such a mess in the house. It's taken me bloody years to get it this long but on the positive side no more split ends and my wig is so much nicer!"

In another update she said: "I can't change what has happened but I can hopefully change the future. I know it's quite a personal thing to be putting on Facebook but sharing my journey is really helping me."

She added: "I want people to be able to say, Lucy is a real fighter. So for those who feel sorry for themselves day in day out, I warn you now, you don't know what tomorrow has to bring, you could be fighting for your life."

Lucy, who has a six-year-old son called Josh, said she has been amazed by the feedback she has received on Facebook, adding: "The amount of response it has received not only from England, but Scotland and even as far as Australia and New Zealand. It has been a massive help to keep me positive.

"People have been telling me what an inspiration I have been, it's what keeps me going."

Lucy has organised a charity event on Saturday to raise money for The Pink Place and The North Hampshire Medical Fund.

The Trot For Life will be held at Westside Dairy in North Waltham, from 10am, when horse riders can take part in a sponsored ride.

To donate to Lucy's fundraising cause visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lucybadham1.