THE story of a Hampshire family left devastated after losing a mother and son to cancer has been aired to the nation to help raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

Mark Keville and his children Harry, 20 and Lara, 18, have thrown their weight behind the fundraising campaign by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 because they are determined to do what they can to help save more lives more quickly.

Last night their story was shown to millions as part of the Channel 4 Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser.

Their lives were torn apart when mum-of-three Kate died from breast cancer in 2011, having found a lump on Christmas Day 2008.

But as they tried to move on, the family were rocked once again when two years later Robbie, the youngest member of their family, was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

He died in February this year, aged 10.

Recalling the day his wife discovered the lump in her breast, Mark said: “Kate was having a shower and came down in tears on Christmas Day morning.

"She said ‘I’ve found a lump in my breast – it might be nothing but I’ve got a horrible feeling it’s you-know-what’. Somehow she took a deep breath and got through the day.”

Kate underwent three years of treatment before she died in 2011.

He added: “Kate was given six weeks to live on Friday, December 16, 2011 and, in the car on the way back home from the hospital, we decided that we needed to talk about her wishes.

“We planned to do it the next day but never managed it as she was tired when we got home and died on the Monday morning. I know that Kate’s wishes would have been all about the children.”

Robbie was just six years old at the time and vowed to become a doctor to help others like his mummy.

However, two years later he himself was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He had radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Southampton General Hospital for one year before he went into remission.

Mark said: “After his diagnosis, he was an inspiration to everyone with his irrepressible personality and energy. He was a very intelligent boy and attracted many supporters and followers throughout his treatment.”

A routine scan in October 2015 found that Robbie’s cancer had come back.

Mark recalled: “Whilst the diagnosis was a terminal one – and this was explained to Robbie – he chose never to ask about this aspect of his illness again.”

Robbie died at the family home in Odiham, surrounded by Mark, Harry and Lara, on February 8 this year.

As well as backing Stand Up To Cancer, the family run their own charity – thought up and named by Robbie. Called “robbiesrally” it helps children with brain tumours and their families at Southampton General Hospital.

Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has already raised more than £25 million to fund translational research, which takes developments in the lab and transforms them into new tests and treatments for cancer patients.

Stand Up To Cancer is supported by a host of celebrities including Davina McCall and Alan Carr. This year’s campaign culminated last night on Channel 4 by the brightest stars in film, TV and music.

To donate £10 text FIGHT to 70404 or visit www.standupto cancer.org.uk.

For more information about Robbie’s charity visit www.robbiesrally.com.