A mum with only a “slim chance” of seeing her children grow up is organising a charity ball to raise money for research into the disease which threatens her life.

Marie Warner, 36, of Lomond Way, Stevenage, said she wants to do all she can to tackle breast cancer after she was diagnosed with the secondary stage of the disease 18 months ago.

The mum of James, six, and Ben aged three, who are unaware of her condition, has since had six operations and chemotherapy, but said at present the condition is incurable.

“The diagnosis for people in my condition is not great.” Marie said. “The chance of me seeing my kids grow up are very slim.”

“I had a friend with a very similar situation, aged 37. It’s heartbreaking. I want to do all I can so it doesn’t go on forever.”

She hit on the idea of a ball as a fun way to raise money for charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

“I cannot run a marathon so I have decided to organise a charity ball.

“I did a lot of fundraising at school. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I just love organising a great party. Me and my husband Peter renewed our vows last September after 10 years and had a great party.

“I want to raise as much money to help find a cure so that me and other women in my situation can see their children grow up.

“Unless people raise money, a cure won’t be found.”

The 120 tickets for the three-course dinner and dance at Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel in September are �45 each and along with a raffle and auction, Marie hopes to raise �6,000 for the charity.

To get your tickets and help Marie and women like her tackle the disease, email her at warners1@ntlworld.com

Donations and raffle prizes can be given by contacting the same email.