A SOUTHAMPTON woman and her mother have raised more than £1000 to help fight cancer.

Southampton based Weight Watchers Coach, Sam Pearce and mum Marion Watt have raised over £1000 in support of Portsmouth Hospitals Charity to help fund the Cancer Support and Cardiology departments at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Plummeting 15,000ft for the cause to “give something back” in thanks and support of the incredible work of hospital staff gives to cancer and heart patients throughout Portsmouth.

“My dad underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 1988, and my father-in-law had a heart attack in 2000," says Sam.

"In 2010 my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and most recently my uncle underwent extensive chemotherapy for cancer of the tonsils in 2014, so I know first hand how important front line cancer and cardiac care is to survival rates.”

Having lost weight to better her own health, Sam went on to run three Weight Watchers meetings giving residents in Southampton support with their weight loss and health goals.

“The big research charities are usually the ones to get all the publicity when it comes to heart disease and cancer, and rightfully so as they are the organisations funding research into preventing these terrible diseases," says Sam.

"However, without the surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff on the front lines treating heart disease and cancer, members of my family would no longer be with us."

With members taking part in Weight Watchers #5KMyWay events across the country where communities come together to complete 5k for health and fitness, Sam and Marion did their first 4.5km vertically, then walking the rest back to the hanger!

“My family has been fortunate in that they all received the very best of medical treatment," says Sam.

"My dad and father-in-law now live healthy active lives, and both my uncle and mother-in-law have been given the all clear from their cancers. It would be my privilege to know that I helped to give another family that same second chance."

Sam has been fundraising through justgiving.com/fundraising/sammariongoskydiving