A YOUNG mum who has survived cancer will join hundreds of horse riders today to raise money for a charity that helped her through her darkest days. 

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

The 27-year-old mother-of-one decided to document her story on Facebook, and her positive posts of inspiration resulted in messages of support coming from all over the world. 

She used her journey to encourage people to check for lumps, and to raise money for local cancer charities. 

Her efforts culminated with a fundraising event called Trot for Life, at which more than 100 horses and riders dressed in pink trotted through the Hampshire countryside in aid of The Pink Place

Lucy, who was given the all-clear following a mastectomy in November, is now encouraging people to attend the second Trot for Life, being held this Saturday at Portland Farm, in North Waltham

The event starts at 10am, when riders will leave the yard and parade through the village, before going on a two hour ride through the countryside. 

On their return, a family fun day will be held at the farm, which will include a rodeo bull, bouncy castle, hog roast and football competitions, starting at 12 noon. 

Lucy, who has now returned to work as a horse trainer, said: "Last year the event was really popular and we raised over £10,000. Everyone said they hoped I would hold it again the next year, and so this time I've added a bit extra."

Lucy was diagnosed with cancer after finding a small lump in her left breast. 

She 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, it had grown and this time Lucy was sent for a biopsy. 

Her follow-up appointment was booked for the day after she returned from New Zealand, and she was given the devastating news at Basingstoke hospital

She said: "When the doctor told me my result I just couldn't believe it, and I think he was pretty shocked too."

She added: "I still get messages from people now asking how I'm getting on. I can't believe this time last year I had no hair and now I have a full head of hair."

Lucy, who has a seven-year-old son called Josh, said the ordeal had changed her as a person, adding: "I don't overthink things as much now. I get on with things because you only live once."

The event on Saturday will raise money for Basingstoke cancer charity The Pink Place, which supported Lucy when she was going through treatment, and North Hampshire Medical Fund. 

She said: "The Pink Place gave me my first haircut when it was growing back and it's nice knowing I have someone there."